Sufjan Stevens - The One I Love The prolific singer-songwriter re-casts R.E.M.?s brooding 1987 single as a hushed, gossamer-voiced lament. Here he is performing it at South By South-West, Austin, Texas, 2004./td>
Bodies Of Water - Everybody Hurts
Big in the blogosphere, L.A.'s Bodies Of Water come from the Arcade Fire school of passionate, multi-instrumental epic-ness. Check out their slow, spectral version of R.E.M.'s best-known ballad, Listen>
You Say Party! We Say Die! - Nightswimming
Who knew this understated classic from Automatic For The People could work as a synth-drenched electro number? An unexpected triumph from the normally-raucous gang of Canadian hedonists. Listen>
The Veils - Drive
Darkly romantic Londoners The Veils have been sadly overlooked, despite releasing two excellent albums. Here, Finn Andrews' pained rasp transforms an already doleful song into an expression of infinite sorrow, backed by twanging country guitars. Listen>
Shout Out Louds - Man On The Moon
These Swedish indie types are friends with compatriots Peter, Bjorn & John, so it makes sense that here they give Man On The Moon a quirky, layered vocal treatment that recalls that band's big single, Young Folks. Listen>
