In the eighties 2 of the critics darlings were Prince and REM. Prince's critical acclaim began in 1980 with the release of Dirty Mind, whereas REM first full length release "Murmur" gained significant critical nod.

Both remained critic's darling through most of the 80s. Prince had 1999, Purple Rain, and Sign O the Times, REM had Life's Rich Pageant, Document and Reckoning.

Then critics started to turn on these 2 artists, Batman for Prince, and Monster for REM. Soon these artists were not selling nearly as well as they did in the 80s.

Buy they both continued to release music , and still do. Yet Prince has rebounded in pop culture, with #1 records, sold-out tours, and of course a Super Bowl performance in the decade following the 90s.

REM (count me in as a former fan, who lost interest in the 90s) has gradually dissappeared from pop conciousness. I have not heard a song from them in such a long time that prompts me to go spend money on their record.

Have they not been able to adapt to life after the 80s. They were hardly your image conscious 80s hair band. They were a rocking band.

Just wonder if anyone has any input into the diverse destinys of these two pillars of the 80s, who got lost in the 90s a bit. One has rediscovered fame, and one is just rarely heard from.