This EP was released in November 2023, and so I reckon just about enough time has passed to allow me to post the songs without feeling guilty.
The PR blurb:-
7A Records are proud to announce the release of Micky Dolenz Sings R.E.M., a 4 track EP released on November 3rd. The EP is comprised of songs R.E.M. wrote throughout their career, all beautifully reimagined by Dolenz and producer Christian Nesmith .The EP features fresh and completely new arrangements of some of R.E.M.’s most memorable and catchy songs. As Dolenz says: “Once again, this EP reaffirms my long-held conviction that a solid recording always begins with solid material. You don’t get much more solid than R.E.M. What a joy to sing these classics and honor a team of outstanding writers.
Christian Nesmith, who also plays all the music (except drums) on the EP is the 60-year-old son of the late Michael Nesmith, best known as the guitarist with The Monkees, while Micky Dolenz, who will turn 81 next March was the drummer in The Monkees and is the band’s last surviving member.
This EP, on the face of it, shouldn’t work. But it does, partly because the songs themselves are so timeless, but also because they almost sound as if they have been written to suit Dolenz’s voice. I’m not going to make any extravagant claims about them being better, or even equal, to the originals, but they are worth a listen.
mp3: Mickey Dolenz – Shiny Happy People
mp3: Mickey Dolenz – Radio Free Europe
mp3: Mickey Dolenz – Man On The Moon
mp3: Mickey Dolenz – Leaving New York
Members of R.E.M. were more than happy to express their delight with the EP:-
‘These songs are ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. Micky Dolenz covering R.E.M. Monkees style, I have died and gone to heaven. This is really something. Shiny Happy People sounds INCREDIBLE (never thought you or I would hear me say that!!!). Give it a spin. It’s wild. And produced by Christian Nesmith (son of Michael Nesmith), I am finally complete’ – Michael Stipe
‘That voice—one of the main voices of my musical awakening—singing our songs… It is beyond awesome. Let’s help make this as huge as we possibly can. I am beyond thrilled.” – Mike Mills
‘I’ve been listening to Micky’s singing since I was nine years old. It’s unreal to hear that very voice, adding new depth to songs we’ve written ourselves, and inhabiting them so completely.” – Peter Buck
THE NEW VINYL VILLAIN 
You’re so right about how it shouldn’t work, but it does. I went into this EP rather sceptical, but emerged from it beaming from ear to ear. The version of Radio Free Europe is absolutely bonkers but utterly brilliant. I still shove it into the middle of a playlist so it will crop up unexpectedly and cheer me up. And yes – he’s made Shiny Happy People actually sound like a good song!
I always liked Shiny Happy People because Kate from the B-52s was on it. And I like what the guy is doing on bass on Radio Free Europe in this version, which was already a great line. Bonus that the cover was shot in front of Wuxtry Records in Athens, but I can’t tell if the muscle car is superimposed onto the street.
A very surprising post!
Wuxtry Athens may have the legendary status, but it’s merely a good record store. It’s the Wuxtry Decatur location [in Atlanta] where I’ve spent hundreds of dollars at a pop! Just saying!
No stolen music today?
Micky had a record release party at this shop where the members of R.E.M. came to support him and publicly give their blessing. The crowd gathered outside, and the idea was for Micky to pull up in the hot rod you see on the cover. Alas, the plan was foiled when the keys got locked in the car. I bought this one upon release without hearing a note… just like the old days. I was not disappointed.