Hüsker Dü

Pabcrane

I was wondering if any of you guys could point a neophyte in the direction of the best Hüsker Dü LPs. I might get a record voucher for Christmas.

danlad

Zen Arcade is the prog meets punk masterpiece, Flip Your Wig and New Day Rising the pop meets punk goodies. None are wonderfully recorded mind, so some of the live bootlegs from around 1986-87 are worth investigating (and probably free online somewhere) because they do them more justice than official releases in some cases! The Living End is effectively an official bootleg.

Pabcrane

Thanks a lot Danlad, I'll see what's available at the record store.

As for the state of the recording - I like The Misfits, I can't imagine anything is more badly recorded than some of that!

oh_pollo

They're all good but 'd start with New Day Rising, Candy Apple Grey or Flip Your Wig. Also check out the first Grant Hart solo album, Intolerance and the first Sugar album Copper Blue.

rivercider

I'd suggest New Day Rising, which has always been my favourite.  ZenArcade is great for what it is, although Bob's anger is very much present and to the forefront on that one .

 Even at the time they were around, when I was a big fan, I'd have to say that anything much before Zen is just too basic, although you may want to try the Metal Circus EP for a taste of how they were evolving. Production on Flip Your Wig is a bit thin but there are some good songs, same with Candy Apple Grey.  I have grown to appreciate their last album more over the years, too; Warehouse.  Some truly great songs on there, although I never thought they really got the recorded sound quite as good as it deserved to be.  The Living End is well worth a go. I think the Live in London DVD is essential, too. That's available on YouTube.

rivercider

Oh and as an afterthought, Bob Mould's recent album Sunshine Rock is really much better than it has any right to be, at his age, and compares well with the early Sugar stuff.

Philly_Q

Although I've got nearly all Bob Mould's solo stuff and the Sugar albums, I've never really investigated much Husker Du - I've only got Candy Apple Grey.  I should try some of the others!

thumpingrug

I prefer Bobs solo stuff.  Black sheets of Rain is a particular favourite.

Pabcrane

Thanks everyone, I think I'll look out for New Day Rising from what you've said.

Greatape

Another vote for Bob's 'Black Sheets of Rain' . Also, 'Beaster' by Sugar. 

ewal

New Day Rising is a definite high point from Husker Du v1 - all the intensity but Bob and Grant's ear for a tune really coming through.

Interesting to see people highlight Black Sheets of Rain amongst Bob"s solo albums. I think a lot of his more recent albums are better. Silver Age is probably my favourite solo release - unashamedly sticking to the Sugar power trio formula. Patch The Sky is stacked with much the same energy too

Having said all that Sugar's Beaster is probably my overall favourite, a hugely nostalgic listen linked to the era I was most active in bands.

octatonic

thumpingrug said:

I prefer Bobs solo stuff.  Black sheets of Rain is a particular favourite.

Same, and Sugar.
Zen Arcade is a masterpiece though.

About 15 years ago I was living in the US and reached out to him, as I considered him such a mentor and thought, what the fuck?

He was extremely kind and generous with his time.

strumjoughlamps

Warehouse Songs and Stories is my fave, much prefer the later stuff.

KirkyYorkshire

New Day Rising and Bob's solo stuff.   I was lucky enough to see Husker Du live towards the end of their career, Kentish Town in 1987.  They were a powerhouse, and that power never really translated to record.  

Ddigger

Not on any album, as far as I can remember, but was a single...

Eight Miles High (purple cover photo).

Loved it (still do) and it got me into The Byrds.

Grant Hart was in Nova Mob.