Husker Du

[Jack C]

Been on a huge Meat Puppets kick lately and I figured I should finally give Husker Du a shot. What's a good album to start with? Or would I be better off with something from Sugar or solo Mould?

[Lockbody]

Zen Arcade and New Day Rising without a doubt.

[atquinn]

I'm biased since I started with Sugar. But I would say, if you don't have any of it, start with Sugar's Copper Blue and Beaster albums. The only Husker Du album I have is Warehouse. I've heard some other Husker Du stuff and basically I can only listen to the Bob Mould songs Also, the production of all the Husker Du stuff I've heard is abysmal (and I'm not someone who tends to be picky about that sort of thing). Also, assuming you like the Sugar stuff, at some point, you're probably going to want to pick up Bob Mould's first solo album, Workbook (it's mellower, but if you like Sugar, you'll like it). Just my 2 cents.

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Austin

[jwhitcomb3]

Depends if you like punky and experimental or more poppy. Zen Arcade is a mess, but that's what makes it thrilling. If you like Minutemen, then start here. But as Austin said, it has a thin sound that can be wearing. I'm partial to the songwriting on Flip Your Wig and Candy Apple Grey.

Don't discount the Grant Hart songs. I think his sensibilities balance Mould's nicely.

[Turdus]

I got to the party late also, and started with Sugar's File Under Easy Listening. thought it was a good rock record. Went back to explore Husker Du, many moons ago, and I recall thinking they sucked, lol.

Just a personal opinion of course.

[Jack C]

Thanks for the tip on production quality. That stuff does tend to matter for me. Maybe I'll start with Sugar.

[jwhitcomb3]

No doubt the sound on the Sugar records is better, but the songwriting is lacking. The Husker Du albums were all over the place, but the better Husker Du songs are far more memorable than any Sugar. If sound quality is key, start with Candy Apple Grey or Warehouse: Songs and Stories.

[Lockbody]

I'll take song quality over production quality any day. Jack C, Zen Arcade and New Day Rising usually rank on many "top albums of all time", whereas the rest?

Well, they have better production quality.

[jwhitcomb3]

For anyone who likes the early Husker albums but can't get past the sound quality, try Moving Targets, particularly their first two albums. Great Boston band that never got much recognition, but they rawked loud and hard with great hooks to boot.

[Turdus]

No doubt the sound on the Sugar records is better, but the songwriting is lacking. The Husker Du albums were all over the place, but the better Husker Du songs are far more memorable than any Sugar. If sound quality is key, start with Candy Apple Grey or Warehouse: Songs and Stories.

Sugar's "Favorite Thing" got airplay around here.... it's a very memorable rock tune. Somebody wrote a song called "Grant Hart", lol... but I can't remember who that was.

[polara]

Depends if you like punky and experimental or more poppy. Zen Arcade is a mess, but that's what makes it thrilling. If you like Minutemen, then start here. But as Austin said, it has a thin sound that can be wearing. I'm partial to the songwriting on Flip Your Wig and Candy Apple Grey.

Don't discount the Grant Hart songs. I think his sensibilities balance Mould's nicely.

+1

There's something really compelling about New Day Rising but it sounds like ass. Grant Hart wrote some great songs, especially Green Eyes, which is one of the best Husker songs.

Can't go wrong with Sugar but it is way poppier. The new Bob Mould release sounds huge and has some strong songs. I also am one of the few people who liked Black Sheets of Rain. Way more dismal than Sugar, heavier and slower than Husker Du, very well recorded.

[cmatthes]

The song "Grant Hart" was by the Posies, Chris. Off of "Amazing Disgrace", and a great song.

Lyrics in that song are the best description of Husker Du that I've ever heard:

"I can't cry, I can't apply a word to sum it up

Under stress I can't repress the moment it erupts

Hear the sound of paper drums and shredded paper voice

Got to turn up 'Keep Hanging On' as if I had a choice"

I like Husker Du, but prefer Bob Mould's solo stuff/Sugar. I just saw Bob a few weeks ago here in DC doing "Copper Blue" and "Silver Age" in their entirety. Amazing live show - really.

[Brooks]

I (explored) Husker Du, many moons ago, and I recall thinking they sucked, lol.

Just a personal opinion of course.

wasn't gonna say anything, but big +1, haha.

also remember about the same time someone telling me how amazing fugazi was.....

edit - gotta say that i'm not a fan of this general kinda thing,

maybe except for early pretenders/police/sex pistols (i know, not the same thing, but thats all i got..).

[Turdus]

[edit - gotta say that i'm not a fan of this general kinda thing,

maybe except for early pretenders/police/sex pistols (i know, not the same thing, but thats all i got..).

Musically, I've always been on the alternative edge, but there are some bands that are difficult to relate to. If you've never heard it... give a listen to the Replacements "Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash". Sloppy, yet fun... one of the best from that genre.

[cmatthes]

The Replacements...one of the coolest bands I've seen live, but one of those times where we were all pretty sure the band was more intoxicated than the audience.