While fans of guitar pop may be split on R.E.M.'s later work, there's no denying the energy and charisma these fellows had when they first blipped on the music radar in the early '80s.
Between the breakup of the hardcore-pioneering trio Husker Du and the recent release of the new solo album, 'Beauty and Ruin' (and a handful of other solo albums), Bob Mould had a little rock outfit named Sugar.
Being the progenitor of one of the most successful and influential musical movements in history may buy you a spot in a few rock mags, but it won't buy you a mansion in Beverly Hills.