When at last, Husker Du "broke the mould," heh heh heh.
― pplains, Monday, 26 November 2012 19:20 (eleven years ago) link
Good track. Voted for it. Glad it just squeaked in.
― Johnny Fever, Monday, 26 November 2012 19:30 (eleven years ago) link
Nice graphic...All 30 will be ballads, right?
― clemenza, Monday, 26 November 2012 19:43 (eleven years ago) link
Every single one of 'em, clem. Just like No. 29
http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt203/pplains/Husker%20Du%20Poll/turn_on_the_news700.jpg
29. “Turn On the News” - 140 points• ''Private Remaster''• Big Trouble House from Dü Hüskers tribute
― pplains, Monday, 26 November 2012 19:46 (eleven years ago) link
Still not sure how this is supposed to sound like "Freebird", but my ears are tin anyway.
― pplains, Monday, 26 November 2012 19:49 (eleven years ago) link
i see what you've done with the numbers on yr graphics pp
― Albert Crampus (NickB), Monday, 26 November 2012 19:53 (eleven years ago) link
I hope this isn't a pain-in-the-butt request, but could you share how many votes each track received?
― Johnny Fever, Monday, 26 November 2012 19:55 (eleven years ago) link
I can possibly share that after we're through here.
I didn't originally because, 25 ballots, most would only see 5-10 votes anyway.
― pplains, Monday, 26 November 2012 20:00 (eleven years ago) link
Gotcha.
― Johnny Fever, Monday, 26 November 2012 20:01 (eleven years ago) link
i voted for turn on the news!! that song rules.
― passion it person (La Lechera), Monday, 26 November 2012 20:02 (eleven years ago) link
This didn't make my list, surprisingly since at one time, it may have been my favorite HD song.
The lyrics are damn good though, if not a bit cheesed. You could make a fresh newsclip video for this song, lyric by lyric, for every decade since it was released.
― pplains, Monday, 26 November 2012 20:02 (eleven years ago) link
Genuinely surprised at this being #29...thought it was a lock for the top 10.
― and I scream Fieri Eiffel Tower High (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Monday, 26 November 2012 20:02 (eleven years ago) link
"turn on the news" is alright, but it's never been a favorite - too self-aware/unemotional an anthem maybe
― da croupier, Monday, 26 November 2012 20:03 (eleven years ago) link
"turn on the news" is always a delete-whenever-i-transfer-zen-to-a-new-playback-device.
but then i forgot to vote so whatevs.
― THAT IS ONE BIG PIZZA (strongo hulkington's ghost dad), Monday, 26 November 2012 20:06 (eleven years ago) link
what? i'd like to see how it does up against "rockin in the free world" for cheesed out but fun chuggy rock anthems about current events.
― passion it person (La Lechera), Monday, 26 November 2012 20:07 (eleven years ago) link
i remember being a young lad at the rock'n'roll hall of fame and being excited to find zen arcade on one of their "500 artists that matter"-type computers. the selection to listen to was "turn on the news" - complete with the long-ass "sound of tv" intro
"rockin" is waaaaay more intense
― da croupier, Monday, 26 November 2012 20:08 (eleven years ago) link
http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt203/pplains/Husker%20Du%20Poll/I_apologize700.jpg
28. “I Apologize” - 144 points (tie)• Live, 1985
― pplains, Monday, 26 November 2012 20:09 (eleven years ago) link
too low!
― da croupier, Monday, 26 November 2012 20:09 (eleven years ago) link
This might be the only band where not a single track posted will get a meh from me, even if I didn't vote for it. Unless, like, "Dead Set on Destruction" makes it to number one.
― Josh in Chicago, Monday, 26 November 2012 20:15 (eleven years ago) link
oh shi –
― pplains, Monday, 26 November 2012 20:15 (eleven years ago) link
Making my ballot, I figured out that I like both this one and "If I Told You" just the same.
― pplains, Monday, 26 November 2012 20:16 (eleven years ago) link
This one didn't make my ballot, but glad it showed up.
― Johnny Fever, Monday, 26 November 2012 20:17 (eleven years ago) link
Listening to "Hardly Getting It Over It" and I'm just noticing how ELP that synthesizer sounds.
― pplains, Monday, 26 November 2012 20:22 (eleven years ago) link
that's the part that reminds me of "speed of sound"! here, around 2:40
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e01JS23vmT4
― passion it person (La Lechera), Monday, 26 November 2012 20:25 (eleven years ago) link
sorry for the youtube
http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt203/pplains/Husker%20Du%20Poll/its_not_funny70028.jpg
28. “It's Not Funny Anymore” - 144 points (tie)• Grant Hart, live in L.A., 2011
― pplains, Monday, 26 November 2012 20:29 (eleven years ago) link
re-hearing "I Apologize" - the arpeggio, the topic, the way the harmonies work - I was struck by how much it's like So. Central Rain played in double-time.
― bendy, Monday, 26 November 2012 20:30 (eleven years ago) link
"It's Not Funny" one of the best Grant songs I didn't vote for, for no good reason.
― Josh in Chicago, Monday, 26 November 2012 20:33 (eleven years ago) link
Will have to catch up at home...No offense to anyone who voted for it, but I'm glad "Turn on the News" is low. It got so much attention at the time, starting with Christgau. I've always considered it quite bombastic. I went back and checked yesterday, and it hadn't gotten any better.
― clemenza, Monday, 26 November 2012 20:35 (eleven years ago) link
not shocked xgau was at the forefront of the "turn on" love, it is very "new clash?"
― da croupier, Monday, 26 November 2012 20:37 (eleven years ago) link
I was sure I Apologize would finish in the top ten.
― kornrulez6969, Monday, 26 November 2012 20:48 (eleven years ago) link
http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt203/pplains/Husker%20Du%20Poll/in_a_free_land70026.jpg
26. “In A Free Land” - 147 points• Original 7” mix
― pplains, Monday, 26 November 2012 20:51 (eleven years ago) link
Still think they're singing "In Opryland" during some parts.
― pplains, Monday, 26 November 2012 21:00 (eleven years ago) link
http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt203/pplains/Husker%20Du%20Poll/Flexible_Flyer700.jpg
26. “Flexible Flyer” - 147 points (tie)• Video
― pplains, Monday, 26 November 2012 21:07 (eleven years ago) link
Totally agree about Turn on the News.I have never understood the love for it . Always sounded like a big boring rock song to me
We had a similar discussion on a recent 80s album poll
― Jessie Fer Ark (Mobbed Up Ping Pong Psychos), Monday, 26 November 2012 21:10 (eleven years ago) link
never dug "flexible flyer"
― da croupier, Monday, 26 November 2012 21:12 (eleven years ago) link
I like the bounciness of it. Maybe 10000 Maniacs should've done it first.
― pplains, Monday, 26 November 2012 21:15 (eleven years ago) link
It is bouncy and fun to skip to, like Books About UFOs, but I didn't vote for it. "What Do I Want" doesn't have a chance, does it.
― passion it person (La Lechera), Monday, 26 November 2012 21:20 (eleven years ago) link
http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt203/pplains/Husker%20Du%20Poll/powerline700.jpg
24. “Powerline” - 149 points• Live In Indianapolis, 1986
― pplains, Monday, 26 November 2012 21:23 (eleven years ago) link
I would like to have Greg's bass line looped in my brain 22 hours a day, k thanx
― pplains, Monday, 26 November 2012 21:24 (eleven years ago) link
http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt203/pplains/Husker%20Du%20Poll/Diane2700.jpg
23. “Diane” - 157 points (tie) • Live, from SST's ''The Tour''• Therapy? with whatever the fuck this is.
― pplains, Monday, 26 November 2012 21:33 (eleven years ago) link
Yep, (Powerline) got a vote from me. This has the weird, out there, Hüskers template that I just love - possibly down to Mould being permanently pissed drunk throughout the recording of NDR. The boozey haze.
Used to love Diane but played it too often or it's just not got the staying power
― Jessie Fer Ark (Mobbed Up Ping Pong Psychos), Monday, 26 November 2012 21:41 (eleven years ago) link
Wow, I didn't vote for any of these so far. Expected to see Diane a lot higher, but it's never really done a whole lot for me. Guitar solo is great though.
― Albert Crampus (NickB), Monday, 26 November 2012 21:42 (eleven years ago) link
I love "Powerline," gave it a top-10 spot. That bass line is great, I could just sing along with it by itself for hours at a time. And have, once or twice.
― WilliamC, Monday, 26 November 2012 21:45 (eleven years ago) link
Is he saying Diane or "dyin'"? *pulls out catch from bong*
― pplains, Monday, 26 November 2012 21:46 (eleven years ago) link
http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt203/pplains/Husker%20Du%20Poll/she_floated_away700234.jpg
23. “She Floated Away” - 157 points (tie)• Cover version by Mosquitos
― pplains, Monday, 26 November 2012 21:47 (eleven years ago) link
Of these so far, I voted "Diane" and "I Apologize." I've never come to terms with the basic creepiness of "Diane" -- too crude to register as a joke in a Ramonesy way, and the chorus seems full of legit longing, not menace. But it sticks with me.
― something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Monday, 26 November 2012 21:48 (eleven years ago) link
I like "She Floated Away" a lot, but it was partly ruined for me when somebody started singing "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" over it. Now I always hear that.
― something of an astrological coup (tipsy mothra), Monday, 26 November 2012 21:49 (eleven years ago) link
It's always sounded like some sort of sea-shanty to me. I still dig it.
Kinda weird that those two songs tied with each other but there you go.
― pplains, Monday, 26 November 2012 21:50 (eleven years ago) link
Would have thought "She floated away" would be higher. It was well up in my top ten. Love the hazy jazzy vibe. The third verse is a great lyric too.
― Rob M Revisited, Monday, 26 November 2012 21:51 (eleven years ago) link
The problem is that the most interesting personality in the band - and the one most likely to write the most illuminating account, bias and all - is no longer with us.
― Master of Treacle, Monday, 23 January 2023 17:33 (one year ago) link
I say illuminating - Greg is in a unique position in that he’s neither Grant but Bob but he’s said a fair amount from his perspective since the Azerrad 80s book and I don’t know if he ever had the interest in anything further
― Master of Treacle, Monday, 23 January 2023 17:37 (one year ago) link
Neither Grant *nor Bob
Re “history as written by the victors” point upthread, I think it’s sometimes unfortunate that the last word from an insiders POV is often from the person who in many ways I’d read last, but OTOH we could easily have nothing.
― Master of Treacle, Monday, 23 January 2023 17:43 (one year ago) link
There's a great oral history on the '80 Minneapolis scene by Magnet, but the Hüsker Dü parts do get uncomfortable in how contentious they are:
https://magnetmagazine.com/2005/06/12/a-tale-of-twin-cities-husker-du-the-replacements-and-the-rise-and-fall-of-the-80s-minneapolis-scene/
For example:
Norton: When Bob said we were going to do the individual songwriter credits, I thought it was just Bob being pissed off at Grant, not realizing I was the only one who thought the songs the three of us worked on were collaborations. I mean, it said, “All songs by Hüsker Dü.” Bob went back and changed it, so he got all the money.
Hart: Bob can stink up a room without saying a word. The guy has an intimidation factor that’s exponentially greater than anyone I’ve ever met in my life. He can loathe you through a wall. Bob had all of this contempt. It was like, “Why are you in a band with me if you fucking hate me so much?”
-
Mould: When David committed suicide, that was the beginning of the end. Everyone sort of retreated into their own corners and dealt with that in their own particular ways.
Hart: That makes a great fucking story. Bob, I’m sorry your friend died and everything, but you’re still a prick.
Hart: Bob said, “It’s up to you, Grant. Should we go on and play, or do you just want to head home?” And I’m like, “Hell, man, let’s go play.” “Well, Grant, we already canceled it.” “OK, so you wanted to give me the fucking opportunity to think you gave a fuck.”
Norton: I was pissed off at Grant. I was pissed off at Bob, too. It got to the point with Bob that I realized I had nothing in common with him. It was obvious he didn’t give a shit about me anymore, so whatever. It was fine.
Norton: Grant would say he quit the band in December when we were on the last tour. Then Bob got himself a lawyer and had himself removed from the contract. So according to Grant, he broke the band up. According to Bob, he quit the band. Bob would probably say he fired me. Leading up to when Bob withdrew from the contract, I had had conversations with him about me and him keeping the band together with a new drummer. At the same time, Bob told Grant, “Let’s you and me keep the band going and kick Greg out and get a new bass player.” Basically, it comes down to this: Who do you believe? I don’t doubt Bob had plans for a solo career and this was a great time for him to get it started.
― birdistheword, Monday, 23 January 2023 18:30 (one year ago) link
(I should add, this was published in 2005, when relations between all three were probably at an all-time low.)
― birdistheword, Monday, 23 January 2023 19:00 (one year ago) link
I'm essentially hate reading this thing at this point, but gah, when he hits his pro wrestling writing stint, or dalliance with electronic music, or the death of his fucking dog, he just becomes even more insufferable. He's always right, only he knows what's going, all he's doing is the right thing, why do other people keep messing it up? He alludes to the lawsuit Hart and Norton tried to file to get the SST rights:
I offered to pay for the lawsuit, but in return Grant and Greg would have to stay uninvolved so that I could sue SST myself without encumbrances, changes, or midstream indecision. I had Josh Grier draw up an offer for a one-time payment of $15,000 each to Grant and Greg. As ever, they would retain co-ownership of the Hüsker Dü name, but would be silent partners in this lawsuit.I didn’t care about the name Hüsker Dü, nor holding sole ownership of the SST catalog. I had, and still have, no interest in the name Hüsker Dü or in recreating or revisiting that part of my life. But while conducting research for this book, I found and reviewed the document, and it most certainly appeared as if I was trying to buy them out. And yet it meant so little to me that I’d forgotten about it until seeing the document.
I didn’t care about the name Hüsker Dü, nor holding sole ownership of the SST catalog. I had, and still have, no interest in the name Hüsker Dü or in recreating or revisiting that part of my life. But while conducting research for this book, I found and reviewed the document, and it most certainly appeared as if I was trying to buy them out. And yet it meant so little to me that I’d forgotten about it until seeing the document.
Yeah, no shit, Bob.
― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 25 January 2023 03:00 (one year ago) link
Always wondered what Gibby Haynes meant when he said "he went all Bob Mould on me"
― Robert Adam Gilmour, Saturday, 28 January 2023 18:47 (one year ago) link