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Micky Dolenz has been there and done that. From massive success with The Monkees to being a star of stage and screen (actor, writer, director, producer), he has earned his right to a relaxing retirement. However, Dolenz has other ideas…

Following on from the 2021 album Dolenz Sings Nesmith, the 78-year-old has turned his attention to tackling the songs of one of the world’s biggest-ever bands – R.E.M. Nothing like taking the easy route, eh? They’ve only sold 90 million albums and have a fiercely loyal fan base. What could go wrong?

I think a few people will check out this EP out of curiosity, expecting to be critical of Dolenz for tackling such a project. I also think many people will be surprised at what they hear and will give Dolenz credit where it is due. The four tracks on this EP span R.E.M.’s career, from their albums Murmur to Around The Sun.

First up is “Shiny Happy People.” R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe has been critical of this song in the past, stating he was embarrassed that such a song was a hit for them. He may look at this song differently now. You see, it appears Messrs. Stipe, Buck, Mills, and Berry created a song for a different era. Hearing how Dolenz has reworked this song, it becomes clear it was written for a late 60s/early 70s band. Stipe himself classed it as bubblegum pop, which supports this idea of cross-era songwriting.

Dolenz has created a sound that is The Monkees, The Beatles, Gilbert O’Sullivan and The Byrds all rolled into four minutes of enjoyment, which remains faithful to the R.E.M. original. That is no mean feat. Hat tipped. This track would have been a huge hit 50 years ago and deserves to be one today.

“Radio Free Europe” sees Dolenz take on early R.E.M. Here, the former Monkee appears to stay loyal to the original, if not a bit rockier. However, we hit a middle section that takes us to a chilled 70s dreamy psychedelic soundscape before crashing back into the guitar-led, drum-pounding rock. Nice.

One of R.E.M.’s most well-known songs is next to get the Dolenz treatment. “Man On The Moon” gives us jangly guitars and industrial drum beats whilst Dolenz’s gentle voice drifts along, weaving itself between the beats and guitar strums. For me, this is the weaker of the four tracks, but that is not meant as criticism – the other tracks are simply the better of four excellent tracks.

I am so pleased Dolenz tackled the last track, “Leaving New York.” I always felt it was one of R.E.M.’s finer tracks, but it rarely gets airplay. Again, Dolenz stays faithful to the original in terms of the overall feel of the song but sprinkles his pixie dust into the mix. The result is a mid-70s-sounding tune but with a generous blob of indie-rock smeared throughout. It sounds like an odd mix, but it works.

In the early days of R.E.M., the band often played The Monkees’ “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone” in their live sets. Therefore, it seems only fair that Dolenz should return the favour. You can tell he has a genuine appreciation of these songs and has handled them with respect. Cover versions often go wrong, even if the intentions were good. Micky Dolenz can rest easy – he’s nailed it here. I had my apprehensions before listening to this EP, as I am a huge fan of R.E.M., but now I can honestly say that I’m A Believer.