By Nate Johnson, Staff Writer
http://thequietus.com/articles/16153-husker-du-zen-arcade-review
Every once in awhile, something happens in Rock ‘N Roll that completely blows everything else out of the water. Husker Du was lucky to have shared this experience.
Imagine the possibility, for a moment, of an album so accurate in conveying the trials and woes of growing up that you could swear it came from a page out of your own diary. “Zen Arcade” (released on SST records) is a milestone of accomplishment, as crisp sounding today as it was twenty years ago upon its release. Guitarist/singer/songwriter Bob Mould delivers a performance stronger than anything heard of at the time. Grant Hart, the band’s drummer (who also contributes quite a bit to both the vocals and the songwriting) supplies an energy no one could mistake as anything but good old Rock ‘N Roll sensibility. And nobody could forget the bassist that is Greg Norton, a force to be reckoned with, lacking nothing in the department of talent. Together they are Husker Du, (Norwegian for “Do You Remember?”) a powerful trio from Minnesota that offered the world a phenomenal level of influence on the modern independent rock scene.
Hailing from Minneapolis, the band was popular in the small world of hardcore punk rock. 1979 saw the formation of the group, who released their first single “Statues” in ’81, and a full-length album the following year, dubbed “Land Speed Record” in addition to their first EP, “In A Free Land”. Their second full length album, “Everything Falls Apart”, was the beginning of a short lived but well revered career as musicians continually pushing the boundaries of punk to a more artistic interpretation. “Metal Circus” came in ’83, their second attempt at an EP.
1984 marked not only the breakout year for Husker Du, but for all of indie music as well. Acts such as REM, The Replacements, The Minutemen, and The Meat Puppets all released their most critically acclaimed albums, in addition to the well-received “Zen Arcade”. Otherwise known as college rock, these acts would play a large part in inspiring popular alternative bands of the nineties, an impact that can be felt even to this day.
At its heart, “Zen Arcade” is a concept album. It is the story of the turning point of a boy’s life, who must move away from home and experience living on his own. Consider it a musical version of the novel Catcher in the Rye. The album kicks off with one of Norton’s bass slamming solos, and then into the signature guitar work that is Bob Mould’s style, for the song “Something I Learned Today.” The vocals kick in with an abrasive tone, unexpectedly superb in its production quality. The acoustic “Never Talking to You Again” is the sweeter side to Mould’s voice, yet a bitter one by comparison.
The fourth song is arguably the high point of the entire record. “Chartered Trips” features some of Mould’s and Norton’s best work, a harmony that will most likely stick with you even when the CD leaves your stereo. The lyrics set the stage for an idealism that seems to be a running motif throughout the course of the album. “He said the sky’s the limit/On this chartered trip away/I guess I’d better stay” Mould insists unapologetically. “Hare Krsna” offers up a lighter, comic relief that can’t be found anywhere else in the album. Another notable track, “Standing By the Sea,” implements Husker Du’s more artful side, playing on emotional images.
Fast forward to the second half of the album, where it really kicks into high gear. Some of the best-recorded material is contained within this half. “Somewhere” is Husker Du’s crown achievement lyrically. The words “Somewhere, the dirt is washed down with the rain/Somewhere, there’s happiness instead of pain/Somewhere, satisfaction has no name” pretty well sum up the entire outlook of the album. There are two songs on the piano, “One Step at a Time” and “Monday Will Never Be the Same Again” which don’t have any real staying power, but add to the mood of the record nonetheless. The popular “Pink Turns to Blue” is short, sweet, and memorable, the peak of “Zen Arcade’s” creativity. “Newest Industry” stands out as being the only politically themed song, detailing the frustration of wars and international conflicts.
Someplace in the mix is Grant Hart, not only doing his part on the drums, but also belting out vocals on an anthem or two, applying a slightly dirtier sound than Mould’s work. The divide between the distinct styles of these two musicians is evident on “Turn On the News,” sung by Hart who brings to the table an old style reminiscent of classic rock. The nineteenth track concludes the album with an exasperatingly long fourteen minute instrumental titled “Reoccurring Dreams” which implies that the boy who the album was based on was simply dreaming up the whole ordeal, adding an intriguing twist to this classic eighties record.
To say that this album rocks is quite the understatement. That would be like saying that The Hulk can get a little peeved every now and then. “Zen Arcade” is, in one word, amazing, and certainly one of the most important albums of the eighties. It is often said of The Velvet Underground that while they didn’t sell too many records, those that bought those records formed a band. The sheer unadulterated art brings about an awakening to the highly successful formula that Husker Du first put to use. Emotional hardcore at its very best, fans of any independent or alternative music should own this album, and Rock ‘N Roll enthusiasts would not be disappointed by it either. You can purchase this album anywhere independent music is sold.
Imagine the possibility, for a moment, of an album so accurate in conveying the trials and woes of growing up that you could swear it came from a page out of your own diary. “Zen Arcade” (released on SST records) is a milestone of accomplishment, as crisp sounding today as it was twenty years ago upon its release. Guitarist/singer/songwriter Bob Mould delivers a performance stronger than anything heard of at the time. Grant Hart, the band’s drummer (who also contributes quite a bit to both the vocals and the songwriting) supplies an energy no one could mistake as anything but good old Rock ‘N Roll sensibility. And nobody could forget the bassist that is Greg Norton, a force to be reckoned with, lacking nothing in the department of talent. Together they are Husker Du, (Norwegian for “Do You Remember?”) a powerful trio from Minnesota that offered the world a phenomenal level of influence on the modern independent rock scene.
Hailing from Minneapolis, the band was popular in the small world of hardcore punk rock. 1979 saw the formation of the group, who released their first single “Statues” in ’81, and a full-length album the following year, dubbed “Land Speed Record” in addition to their first EP, “In A Free Land”. Their second full length album, “Everything Falls Apart”, was the beginning of a short lived but well revered career as musicians continually pushing the boundaries of punk to a more artistic interpretation. “Metal Circus” came in ’83, their second attempt at an EP.
1984 marked not only the breakout year for Husker Du, but for all of indie music as well. Acts such as REM, The Replacements, The Minutemen, and The Meat Puppets all released their most critically acclaimed albums, in addition to the well-received “Zen Arcade”. Otherwise known as college rock, these acts would play a large part in inspiring popular alternative bands of the nineties, an impact that can be felt even to this day.
At its heart, “Zen Arcade” is a concept album. It is the story of the turning point of a boy’s life, who must move away from home and experience living on his own. Consider it a musical version of the novel Catcher in the Rye. The album kicks off with one of Norton’s bass slamming solos, and then into the signature guitar work that is Bob Mould’s style, for the song “Something I Learned Today.” The vocals kick in with an abrasive tone, unexpectedly superb in its production quality. The acoustic “Never Talking to You Again” is the sweeter side to Mould’s voice, yet a bitter one by comparison.
The fourth song is arguably the high point of the entire record. “Chartered Trips” features some of Mould’s and Norton’s best work, a harmony that will most likely stick with you even when the CD leaves your stereo. The lyrics set the stage for an idealism that seems to be a running motif throughout the course of the album. “He said the sky’s the limit/On this chartered trip away/I guess I’d better stay” Mould insists unapologetically. “Hare Krsna” offers up a lighter, comic relief that can’t be found anywhere else in the album. Another notable track, “Standing By the Sea,” implements Husker Du’s more artful side, playing on emotional images.
Fast forward to the second half of the album, where it really kicks into high gear. Some of the best-recorded material is contained within this half. “Somewhere” is Husker Du’s crown achievement lyrically. The words “Somewhere, the dirt is washed down with the rain/Somewhere, there’s happiness instead of pain/Somewhere, satisfaction has no name” pretty well sum up the entire outlook of the album. There are two songs on the piano, “One Step at a Time” and “Monday Will Never Be the Same Again” which don’t have any real staying power, but add to the mood of the record nonetheless. The popular “Pink Turns to Blue” is short, sweet, and memorable, the peak of “Zen Arcade’s” creativity. “Newest Industry” stands out as being the only politically themed song, detailing the frustration of wars and international conflicts.
Someplace in the mix is Grant Hart, not only doing his part on the drums, but also belting out vocals on an anthem or two, applying a slightly dirtier sound than Mould’s work. The divide between the distinct styles of these two musicians is evident on “Turn On the News,” sung by Hart who brings to the table an old style reminiscent of classic rock. The nineteenth track concludes the album with an exasperatingly long fourteen minute instrumental titled “Reoccurring Dreams” which implies that the boy who the album was based on was simply dreaming up the whole ordeal, adding an intriguing twist to this classic eighties record.
To say that this album rocks is quite the understatement. That would be like saying that The Hulk can get a little peeved every now and then. “Zen Arcade” is, in one word, amazing, and certainly one of the most important albums of the eighties. It is often said of The Velvet Underground that while they didn’t sell too many records, those that bought those records formed a band. The sheer unadulterated art brings about an awakening to the highly successful formula that Husker Du first put to use. Emotional hardcore at its very best, fans of any independent or alternative music should own this album, and Rock ‘N Roll enthusiasts would not be disappointed by it either. You can purchase this album anywhere independent music is sold.