Warehouse: Songs And Stories

Performer: Hüsker Dü
Engineer: Steve Fjelstad
Producer: Bob Mould; Grant Hart
Distributor: Alternative Dis. Alliance

Notes: Husker Du: Bob Mould (guitar, vocals); Greg Norton (bass, vocals); Grant Hart (drums, vocals). Recorded at Nicollet Studios, Minneapolis, Minnesota from August to November 1986. Husker Du alienated hardcore purists with its double-length swan song. The radio-ready production sounded slick to many that had thrilled to the slash-and-burn of the band's early records. The Huskers had become polished, and they no longer sounded like they were on the verge of a sonic meltdown. But those who value songcraft over attitude will find in WAREHOUSE a varied and accomplished set of songs. What the band lost in youthful anger they gained in compositional strength. While Bob Mould's signature angst remains on stellar songs like "It's Not Peculiar," "Ice Cold Ice," and "No Reservations," some lightness creeps in. "Friend You've Got to Fall," with its chiming guitars, and the single "Could You Be the One" are exquisite power-pop. Lyrically, the message is a bit more positive. On "These Important Years," Mould dispenses almost big-brotherly advice to his fans, even offering a qualified measure of hope that "it might turn out all right." Quite a change of heart from a man who wrote "Let's Go Die" a mere six years earlier. Among Grant Hart's strongest contributions here are "She's a Woman (And Now He is a Man)" and the cathartic closer, "You Can Live At Home Now."

Q (11/92, p.133) - 4 Stars (out of 5) - "...highlights the innate power of Husker Du and [vocalist/guitarist] Mould's ability to write heavily charged, visceral pop tunes..." Alternative Press (p.200) - "WAREHOUSE's harmony-coated approach to melodic punk had quite the influence on Taking Back Sunday, Hey Mercedes and ALL." CMJ (1/5/04, p.20) - Ranked #7 in CMJ's "Top 20 Most-Played Albums of 1987" NME (Magazine) (10/2/93, p.29) - Ranked #49 in NME's list of the `Greatest Albums Of All Time.' NME (Magazine) (9/25/93, p.19) - Ranked #50 in NME's list of The 50 Greatest Albums Of The '80s.

In a relatively brief career that began in 1979 and ended in 1987, Husker Du left an indelible mark, making a great impact on subsequent rock trends including grunge, alternative, and emo. The Minneapolis trio had its first major success on the fabled SST label, playing thrashy hardcore. Soon the band began to leaven its fierce attack with melodic hooks and harmony vocals. Through uncompromising records and relentless touring, Husker Du earned critical plaudits and built up a reputation among rock aficionados before its acrimonious breakup. Singer Bob Mould went on to success with Sugar and as a solo artist.

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