R.E.M.: Marquee, London
Barney Hoskyns, New Musical Express, November 1983
IF YE Smythes are anything to go by, rock's set-piece quartet of voice and guitar, bass and drums is making a decided comeback. Witnessing R.E.M.'s astonishing performance at the Marquee last week, it seemed to me about time too. There were more possibilities, more trails and extensions pushed out by this music than a dozen New Orders have conjured.
Total word count of piece: 421