subpop

metal?

it's only rock'n'roll but I like it!

And anyway, absolutely yes, there's also some metal!

Honestly, I wouldn't know where to place metal here. Subpop, sure. Rock, yes; noise, too; punk, hardcore punk, psychedelia, pop. But I wouldn't exactly call it metal. Then again, I might be mistaken. Anyway, yes, way ahead of its time. Quite a bit beyond the hardcore punk scene they were part of.

I understand what you mean; I would perhaps define it more as proto grunge. I still feel the attitude and sound are very punk/alternative (and in fact, with the subsequent masterpiece New Day Rising, they would anticipate many aspects of the upcoming alternative scene, in my opinion).

:) I absolutely have to hear it then! I only know Zen Arcade!

Oh yes! Absolutely! And then go to Warehouse: Songs and Stories, which is the peak of their post-New Day Rising period, so you get a complete picture of them through their 3 best albums.

madcat, so let's add "Flip Your Wig," "Candy Apple Grey," "Everything Falls Apart," the mini "Metal Circus," and the raw and explosive live debut "Land Speed Record." And to complete the circle, the posthumous live album "The Living End." As for your metallic debate, here's my two cents: Bob Mould played an Ibanez Flying V and the sound of his six-string was quite metallic and almost annoying from all the noise. Yet they have little to do with metal in the strict sense: Punk-Hardcore that gradually evolved into a fierce Rock, without losing an ounce of aggression. A band I will always regret not having seen in Turin for their last tour.

Hi Dema! I recommended those 2 because subpop only knows Zen Arcade, and in my opinion, if they want to have a fairly complete (and ideal) idea of what they've done, those two albums (New Day Rising and Warehouse: Songs and Stories) are the best choice, also because I think those two and Zen Arcade are their 3 peaks. Then of course they will go back to pick up the others, but I’m increasingly convinced that albums should be enjoyed and explored at the right pace; I wouldn’t recommend binge-listening to entire discographies.

So if I had to add just one to your personal list of the top three, which I fully endorse, I would include the terrifying and hyper-fast debut of Land Speed Record. Universal band, and we agree on this; great gattomatto and great Husker Du.

Thank you guys :)