In many ways, it's impossible to overestimate the impact of Hüsker Dü's Zen Arcade on the American rock underground in the '80s. It's the record that exploded the limits of hardcore and what it could achieve. Hüsker Dü broke all of the rules with Zen Arcade. First and foremost, it's a sprawling concept album, even if the concept isn't immediately clear or comprehensible. More important are the individual songs. Both Bob Mould and Grant Hart abandoned the strict "fast, hard, loud" rules of hardcore punk with their songs for ...
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In many ways, it's impossible to overestimate the impact of Hüsker Dü's Zen Arcade on the American rock underground in the '80s. It's the record that exploded the limits of hardcore and what it could achieve. Hüsker Dü broke all of the rules with Zen Arcade. First and foremost, it's a sprawling concept album, even if the concept isn't immediately clear or comprehensible. More important are the individual songs. Both Bob Mould and Grant Hart abandoned the strict "fast, hard, loud" rules of hardcore punk with their songs for Zen Arcade. Without turning down the volume, Hüsker Dü try everything -- pop songs, tape experiments, acoustic songs, pianos, noisy psychedelia. Hüsker Dü willed themselves to make such a sprawling record -- as the liner notes state, the album was recorded and mixed within 85 hours and consists almost entirely of first takes. That reckless, ridiculously single-minded approach does result in some weak moments -- the sound is thin and the instrumentals drag on a bit too long -- but it's also the key to the success of Zen Arcade. Hüsker Dü sound phenomenally strong and possessed, as if they could do anything. The sonic experimentation is bolstered by Mould and Hart's increased sense of songcraft. Neither writer is afraid to let his pop influences show on Zen Arcade, which gives the songs -- from the unrestrained rage of "Something I Learned Today" and the bitter, acoustic "Never Talking to You Again" to the eerie "Pink Turns to Blue" and anthemic "Turn On the News" -- their weight. It's music that is informed by hardcore punk and indie rock ideals without being limited by them. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi
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Add this copy of Zen Arcade to cart. $8.91, fair condition, Sold by Seattle Goodwill rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Seattle, WA, UNITED STATES, published 1987 by SST.
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Seller's Description:
Fair. All our items include the original disc(s) in the original case. Your purchase funds free job training and education in the greater Seattle area. Thank you for supporting Goodwill's nonprofit mission!
Add this copy of Zen Arcade to cart. $9.99, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Emerald rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1990 by SST Records.
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Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Zen Arcade to cart. $11.99, good condition, Sold by Goodwill rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brooklyn Park, MN, UNITED STATES, published 1987 by SST.
Add this copy of Zen Arcade to cart. $15.00, fair condition, Sold by Midwest Book & Media rated 2.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Des Moines, IA, UNITED STATES, published 1987 by SST.
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Fair in fair packaging. Originally released: 1984. Former library copy in good condition. Ships same day or next business day. Tracking number with every order. Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back.
Add this copy of Zen Arcade to cart. $22.46, very good condition, Sold by BookScene rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Hull, MA, UNITED STATES, published 1990 by Sst Records.
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Very Good. 5.5 x 4.8 x 0.4. Audio CD. Condition: Very Good. Sst Records, 1990. 1 disc. Disc Quality: Excellent. Size: 5.5 x 4.8 x 0.4. Hardcore & Punk. Music CD CD45.
Add this copy of Zen Arcade to cart. $49.99, good condition, Sold by Butlesbooks rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Albany, NY, UNITED STATES, published 1987 by SST.
Add this copy of Zen Arcade [Vinyl] to cart. $87.33, new condition, Sold by Revaluation Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Exeter, DEVON, UNITED KINGDOM, published 1987 by SST.
Got this album to relieve the attitude of the Reagan years. It has aged pretty well, as Husker Du has a solid sound somewhere between punk and power pop. The subject is more a case of standard early twenty alienation and search for self-discover, or at least that's how I read it. Not exactly groundbreaking work, but it holds together well, has a great sound of buzz-saw guitars and good production.
![Zen Arcade [Vinyl]](https://www4.alibris-static.com/cover/s13111hy22z_t.jpg)
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