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THE REVIEW
In the mid-80s, Hüsker Dü (Bob Mould: guitar/vocals, Grant Hart: drums/vocals, Greg Norton: bass) entered the pantheon of the greatest bands of all time; this album, following the supreme masterpiece Zen Arcade, is further proof of that.
It's incredible how the songs are as catchy and engaging as pop music but at the same time imbued with the violence and desperation typical of hardcore. Particularly, it's Mould's guitar, with its buzzing and dense sound more than ever, that distorts and transforms even the most folkish tracks into violent frenzies. The catchiest songs are composed (and sung) by Hart: the quirky piano ballad "Books About UFOs" and the wonderful "Girl Who Lives On Heaven Hill" with an unforgettable chorus. Mould composes (and sings) the more introspective and moving pieces ("Celebrated Summer" above all) and the most devastating and nonsensical, yet compelling, sonic hurricanes ("New Day Rising" and "Plans I Make").
Unfortunately, towards the end, there's a drop in tone, mainly due to the "demo tape" aspect of the songs. It's in the nature of Hüsker Dü's music: music written and played with heart on sleeve, impulsively, leaving one breathless with the sincerity and violence of the emotions.
A milestone for all underground rock to come.
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Summary by Bot
Hüsker Dü's New Day Rising solidifies the band's legendary status with catchy yet intense hardcore tracks. The album balances pop sensibility with raw emotional violence, showcasing standout songs by both Grant Hart and Bob Mould. Though it dips in energy near the end, its heartfelt impulsiveness makes it a seminal underground rock milestone.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Hüsker Dü
Hüsker Dü were an American rock band from Minnesota, best known as a Minneapolis trio (Bob Mould, Grant Hart, Greg Norton) who helped expand 1980s hardcore punk into melodic, emotionally charged alternative and indie rock. Their run from the early 1980s to 1988 is frequently cited as hugely influential, with Zen Arcade often treated as a landmark release.25 Reviews
Other reviews
By Franci!
There are albums that, like people, are destined to be a part of me until I kick the bucket.
"New Day Rising" is the album where the two souls, musical and not, of Mould and Hart visibly separate.
By Nevadagaz
"An (im)perfect sonic storm that overwhelms, disturbs, and at times takes your breath away."
"The songs are among the best the boys have ever written, brimming with pathos and always strong and moving."
