OPTION Magazine #34 Sep Oct 1990 MICHAEL STIPE R.E.M. Cover For Sale

Up for sale is an original, authentic vintage copy of OPTION Magazine, Issue No. 34 from September/October 1990, featuring an intimate cover portrait of Michael Stipe of R.E.M.

Long revered by music collectors, critics, and record archivists as the gold standard of American independent music journalism, Option: Music Alternatives championed underground rock, post-punk, jazz, and global sounds with zero commercial compromise.

Published right as R.E.M. was preparing to enter the studio to record their multi-platinum masterpiece Out of Time, this cover story features an in-depth conversation with Michael Stipe covering his film production company (C-00), political activism, music video direction, and collaborative side ventures.

• Cover Story: Extended feature and interview with Michael Stipe discussing his multimedia and indie production work.

• Crucial Underground Profiles: In-depth articles and interviews on The Cramps, Unrest (Teen-Beat Records / DC indie scene), Appalachian bluegrass legend Hazel Dickens, British jazz innovator Courtney Pine, Nubian oud master Hamza El Din, avant-garde jazz bassist Reggie Workman, and alt-country pioneers Souled American.

• Industry & Reviews: Editorial feature on contemporary music censorship battles, plus hundreds of album, cassette, and 7-inch indie reviews.

• Clean Newsstand Copy: Completely free of subscriber mailing labels, postal stickers, or address stamps. Features the clean original printed barcode in the lower left corner.

• Overall Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+).

• Front Cover: Crisp, flat, and vibrant with rich ink saturation and strong photographic detail on Stipe\'s portrait. Edges and corners are sharp with only the faintest trace of handling from careful storage. Free of pen marks, heavy creases, or liquid stains.

• Spine & Binding: Saddle-stapled spine is straight and intact with original staples firmly seated. No staple pull-through or split paper.

• Interior Pages: Clean, flat, and securely bound. Printed on high-quality uncoated paper with minimal, uniform vintage paper toning. Completely unmarked with no cutouts or clipped coupons.