{"id":397088,"date":"2026-01-09T11:06:12","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T11:06:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/397088\/"},"modified":"2026-01-09T11:06:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T11:06:12","slug":"check-out-icicle-works-frontman-ian-mcnabbs-dramatic-new-version-of-r-e-m-s-so-central-rain-featuring-peter-buck","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/397088\/","title":{"rendered":"Check Out Icicle Works Frontman Ian McNabb\u2019s Dramatic New Version of R.E.M.\u2019s \u201cSo. Central Rain,\u201d Featuring Peter Buck"},"content":{"rendered":"

R.E.M.<\/a> guitarist Peter Buck<\/a> is featured on a new version of his band\u2019s 1984 alternative-rock gem \u201cSo. Central Rain\u201d by former Icicle Works frontman Ian McNabb.<\/p>\n

The dramatic cover is slower and more atmospheric than R.E.M.\u2019s jangly original. McNabb\u2019s version features prominent piano, as well as some chiming guitar-riffing from Buck. A companion, AI-generated music video for the track has debuted on YouTube<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[RELATED: R.E.M.\u2019s Peter Buck Has Reunited with Singer\/Songwriter Joseph Arthur for a Second Arthur Buck Album; Check Out the Lead Single]<\/a><\/p>\n

McNabb previously collaborated with Buck in 2018 on a song called \u201cAquamarine.\u201d<\/p>\n

McNabb\u2019s rendition of \u201cSo. Central Rain\u201d will appear on his upcoming solo album, 65, which is due out in April. The album can be pre-ordered now at IanMcNabb.com<\/a>. It will be available on CD, as a 180-gram vinyl LP, and via high-quality digital formats. All of the physical copies will be signed by Ian.<\/p>\n

Comments from McNabb and Buck About the \u201cSo. Central Rain\u201d Cover<\/p>\n

McNabb posted a note about his new collaboration on his official Facebook page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201c42 years ago I met R.E.M. in Los Angeles,\u201d he wrote. \u201cPeter Buck and I hit it off and have remained good friends. We wrote a song together in 2018 called \u2018Aquamarine.\u2019 Everyone seemed to like it. When we were working on my new LP 65 I wanted to include a cover song and immediately thought of \u2018So. Central Rain\u2019 \u2013 one of my favourite R.E.M. tunes.\u201d<\/p>\n

McNabb continued, \u201cCiaron Bell (my producer) and I worked it up\u2014and I asked Peter if he fancied playing on it. He loved it\u2014and in a couple of days we had this. Thanks to Peter for making it sparkle in the way only he can. We hope you like it!\u201d<\/p>\n

Buck also shared a message about the collaboration on R.E.M.\u2019s official website and social media pages<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the year just passed, I recorded some guitars on a version of \u2018So. Central Rain\u2019 by my friend Ian McNabb,\u201d he wrote. \u201cYou might remember him from the Icicle Works. It\u2019s a cool version. Hope this helps start the new year off well!\u201d<\/p>\n

More About \u201cSo. Central Rain\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo. Central Rain (I\u2019m Sorry)\u201d originally appeared on R.E.M.\u2019s second full-length album, Reckoning, which was released in April 1984. The track was the album\u2019s lead single, and was a minor chart success. It peaked at No. 83 on the Billboard Hot 100.<\/p>\n

More About Ian McNabb<\/p>\n

McNabb co-founded The Icicle Works in his hometown of Liverpool, U.K., in 1980. The band\u2019s enjoyed its biggest success with \u201cBirds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)\u201d the first single released from its self-titled 1982 debut album.<\/p>\n

The Icicle Works broke up in 1990, and re-formed in 2006. McNabb also has been a prolific solo artist, releasing 20 albums to date.<\/p>\n

More Recent Peter Buck News<\/p>\n

In December 2025, Buck wrapped up a tour with his new supergroup Drink the Sea. The band also features former Screaming Trees drummer Barrett Martin, ex-Queens of the Stone Age multi-instrumentalist Alain Johannes, and veteran British singer\/songwriter Duke Garwood. Drink the Sea released two debut albums, Drink the Sea I and Drink the Sea II, on September 19 and October 3, respectively.<\/p>\n

The band is now set to launch a 2026 U.S. tour. The trek kicks off on January 30 in Seattle and winds down on February 21 in Boston. Drink the Sea also will perform at the Lollapalooza Chile festival on March 13 in Santiago, Chile.<\/p>\n

(Photo by Scott Dudelson\/Getty Images; Photo by C Brandon\/Redferns)<\/p>\n