Review: In the Sun EP / Michael Stipe & Special Guests

Teaming up with an array of musicians, R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe is looking to raise funds for and awareness about the victims of Hurricane Katrina. "Things are not fine," Stipe says. "The storm is still impacting people's lives in very real ways and many have been left desperate. I want to remind each of us that as humans, and certainly as Americans, it is our responsibility to help those in need... I had to do something as a public figure. The one thing I can do is sing, and it's probably the best way to get people to pay attention." Stipe is right - while aiding the victims is no longer as trendy among celebrities, and the mainstream media seems to have forgotten Bush's failure, the fact remains that the devastation is still very real. Stipe has launched the In the Sun Foundation and has released the In the Sun EP on iTunes, with all proceeds benefiting Mercy Corps.

On the EP, Stipe covers "In the Sun," originally written and recorded by Joseph Arthur for his 2000 album Come to Where I'm From. "The first time Joseph and I spoke, he was in New Orleans," Stipe says, "and I had to call a New Orleans number to reach him to have that first conversation. When I saw what happened with Katrina, 'In the Sun' came to mind. He writes from a very deep, intuitive place."

For your $4.95, you get six different versions of the song - the "Gulf Coast Remix" featuring Chris Martin, the "JAW Breakers Remix" by Justin Timberlake and Will.I.Am, a duet between Stipe and Arthur, Stipe solo, a live performance of Stipe with Coldplay, and the "Free Acoustic Couch Rehearsal," also featuring Arthur. "Everyone who has worked on the 'In The Sun' project, without exception," says Stipe, "was happy to contribute their time, talents, and expertise, free of charge. I realized that so many people wanted to do something, anything, towards helping the Gulf Coast, and this presented them with a way to do just that. The generosity is unparalleled." (Former Smashing Pumpkins' guitarist James Iha produced the track, while Fountains of Wayne's Adam Schlesinger played piano).

Arthur adds, "The whole thing is such an incredible honor. When we did the version where we sing together, he'd sing the first couple of lines, but we were doing it at the same time in the same vocal booth. I'm listening to him do the lines and thinking that I want him to just keep singing it!"

I feel silly trying to review something intended for charity. While I am not crazy about each version, my personal favorite is the "Free Acoustic Couch Rehearsal," a low-fi recording with simple acoustic guitar. Stipe and Arthur sing in soft, hushed voices that recall Iron & Wine. I would give that one . . .

3.5 STARS (out of 5)

::Some "In the Sun" facts::
1•Peter Gabriel recorded a version in 1997 for a Princess Diana tribute
2•The song was featured in the 2004 film Saved, which Stipe produced
3•Arthur opened for R.E.M. in 2004