Thursday, July 7, 2011

Do You Remember ? ....


After 4 albums on the legendary SST label Husker Du finally took the plunge, or the money depending on your point of view, and signed to a major label, that of Warner Brothers.

Their first release on Warners could have went either way but fortunately Candy Apple Grey turned out to be a classic. There is an abundance of emotion, intelligence and power on Candy Apple Grey equalled by few others. Pretty much every track here is amazing, especially the Grant Hart compositions.

Candy Apple Grey has always been a peculiar album in the Husker Du catalogue because of several reasons - it has 3 ballads in it, it only has 10 songs and it's the only of all their albums in which Grant Hart's songs are actually better than the ones composed by Bob Mould. Most of the songs are about breakups including the blistering "Don't Wanna Know If You Are Lonely" which has to be Hart's finest moment. This is some of the most emotionally powerful music ever created; it's certainly not an easy album to listen to but if you are willing to persevere this is an album of quality songwriting, musicianship and production that is a great introduction to a great band.

They showed other bands that it was possible to record uncompromising music on a major label without losing any integrity or creative control.

Can be bought here ....



Husker Du - No Promise Have I Made

6 comments:

  1. I love Husker Du. What's really striking now is how muffled and underproduced (by todays standards) their records are, when next to other stuff on an ipod. Still, great song. And like you say, Grant could write songs as good and better than Bob's.

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  2. I agree. There is something so refreshing about bands like Husker Du; bands who refrain from the slick, over-produced sound. Sure, you sometimes here a bit of dodgy guitar playing or a quiver of the vocals, but this reminds you that you're actually listening to something authentic. Great article again! :)

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  3. Adam - this was the album that showed the world what a great songwriter Grant Hart is. Know what you mean 'bout the production. Listen to Husker Du followed by New Order and the difference is huge but a great song always shines through in the end.

    Alana - thank you so much for the kind words. Glad you are enjoying the blog.

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  4. I prefer Husker Du Wop....

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  5. Flip Your Wig is my favourite.

    Wiz from Mega City 4 showed this star-struck (!) 18 year-old how to play Don't Want To Know If You Are Lonely on his guitar one time. I'll tell you all about it some time.

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  6. Look forward to it. Flip Your Wig is certainly a great album also, as is the first Grant Hart solo release that contains the classic 25:41.

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