80s Music Central News

Coming off one of the most difficult eras in their nearly 20-year career, Athens, GA.-bred rockers R.E.M. staged a triumphant return to alternative radio last week, with nearly every alternative outlet in the U.S. adding the band’s new single to their playlists. According to Kevin McCabe, director of charts for radio-industry trade-magazine Radio and Records, R.E.M.’s “Daysleeper” was picked up by 120 of the 135 alternative stations that report to the magazine, making it the most-added song last week. The single, from the group’s upcoming album, Up (due out Oct. 27th) — the first not to feature drummer Berry, who departed last fall — has kept pace with a number of other high-profile releases this year, according to McCabe. Another song McCabe said had similarly widespread alternative-radio adds was “Sweetest Thing” by Irish rockers U2.