For the uninitiated, Bingo Hand Job is the legendary fake name R.E.M. used for two secret shows at London’s tiny Borderline club on March 12–13, 1991. These sets were a deliberate, chaotic antidote to the Out of Time arena tour that would follow. The 2023 release (sourced from PMEDIA) presents a high-quality FLAC transfer of the soundboard or pre-FM recording, likely from the second night.

Here’s a sample review for that release, written from the perspective of a collector and R.E.M. fan.

“Belong” (live) → the crowd’s clapping and Stipe’s improvised “ba-ba-ba” vocals are pure joy.

★★★★☆ (4.5/5)

This is where the release shines. The FLAC files are genuine (spectral analysis confirms no lossy upscaling). The sound is remarkably clear for a club bootleg—Stipe’s vocals are front and center without being harsh, Buck’s jangly Rickenbacker cuts through, and Mills’ backing harmonies are beautifully balanced. The low end (Mike Mills’ bass and Bill Berry’s kick drum) is punchy but not boomy. There’s a tiny bit of tape hiss during the quietest moments (e.g., “Losing My Religion” acoustic intro), but that’s expected from the era. Overall, it’s a 9/10 for a non-official release.