American pop is enjoying something of a renaissance at present with bands like R.E.M. and Jason & The Scorchers. 'Rockville' is anytown USA, a dismal, homely place to be until the local neighbourhood garage band come along and blow it up. Michael Stipe's dreamy country twang carries the day without persuading me that R.E.M. are about to break down any British prejudices and storm our charts. (Max Bell, No 1, June 16, 1984)
I have been known to like the odd country-flavoured band before now, but I'm not quite sure of the wisdom of releasing something quite so down tempo. I fancy it won't convert many barnstormers and I'd hazard a prediction of non-hit. (Nancy Culp, Record Mirror, October 26, 1985)