The Decemberists vs R.E.M. (Down By the Water, The One I Love)

[adamgore1]

it was supposed to be similar R.E.M was a major influence for the song so it only makes sence

[remo1366]

This is what happens when you record with Peter Buck,now way to hide those gorgeous rhythm patterns.

[Morty72]

Obviously Colin Meloy of The Decemberists is a huge REM fan. If you think this one is similar listen to "Calamity Song" from the Decemberists, then "Talk About the Passion" from REM.

[Glynn125]

Check out R.E.M's World Leader Pretend... off of GREEN. I think that one is way closer to Down by the Water. As far as the rip-off- I agree that there is no penalty, it's more in the way of tribute and the frontman will gladly admit to his writing of "fake REM songs". Bringing Peter Buck in, is a sure-fire method of tribute to an unabashedly public acknowledgment of influence.

[robertk2007]

interesting but not a rip off

[GVike]

Well, if Peter Buck is actually playing in the track I guess he has no problem whatsoever. Anyway, Buck is here actually playing (at least) one of the arpeggios on "The One I Love" so that's kinda on him for not finding a variation/combination of other notes. He sampled himself. Also, there are only 12 major chords and 12 standard minor triad chords and eventually you will stumble on a chord progression used somewhere else.

[Adrenailine]

I heard this on the radio, and I thought it was the new REM album dropping early.

[nuggz503]

I like The Decemberists version better.

[bhig3]

@nuggz503 I think there could be a pretty epic combination song like Boulevard of Broken Songs style

[samara76]

I just bought "The King Is Dead" yesterday and thought the same thing the first time I heard "Down By The Water"! Cool comparison! Thanks for posting!

[checkerboard96]

But yea..still a great album

[checkerboard96]

HAHA the first time i heard this song i said “cool, decemberits did an rem cover”. Then i listened a little closer “this is fucking bullshit

[TheSwee]

Yeah, but Joe Buck is PLAYING GUITAR ON THIS TRACK. It purposely sounds like REM, people......

[joshwoodward]

@TheSwee His name is Peter Buck, as I mentioned in the info box, but yeah. :)

[TheSwee]

@joshwoodward Oops. Yeah. In my anger at all these nincompoops, I wrote the name of a famous sports broadcaster, and not the REM guitarist.... :)

[mckiernan189]

I thought the same thing listening to The Decemeberists on the way in to work today and I could shake the feeling that it sounded so similar to REM.....none the less its still a good song.

[stunner38]

I just listened to them and thought this exact same thought. A good song even if it is a complete rip lol

[johned556]

Love this. Thanks for doing it. I'm diggin the new album.

[frodonator]

Haha, yeah they've been getting that REM comparison for a while now. New album is faaantastic.

[dabbey001]

@frodonator completely agree, the new album is great! Really goes back to their roots.