Chris Steller: 40 years ago this summer, Hüsker Dü release their double album, "Zen Arcade." Here is Ken Tucker's review from the Philadelphia Inquirer:

40 years ago this summer, Hüsker Dü release their double album, "Zen Arcade." Here is Ken Tucker's review from the Philadelphia Inquirer:

... and the last part from the jump page.

Zen Arcade will turn 40 on July 3, 2024 (a week from today). (You just have to triangulate Michael Azerrad's Our Band Could Be Your Life and a Soundblab post to nail down that date)

( My compadres in this quest: @jasonwittenberg.bsky.social and @garyhornseth.bsky.social )

I have since found that July 3, 1984 release date for Double Nickels at a bunch of other places, so unless they're all vibe-ing off the same incorrect source, I believe that much is correct, leaving the accuracy of July 3 as Zen Arcade's release date on Azerrad's shoulders. Personally I believe him.

As much as I hate Greg Ginn for the way he has held the Husker's SST recordings hostage, I have to say, pairing the release date of Zen Arcade with Double Nickels was such a brilliant move.

saves on shipping and marketing costs? or ... ?

Just the attention it drew to the label. They had two bands on the label that were in peak form and had created ambitious game-changing records at the same time, and suddenly the music press was raving about the music coming out of SST Records.

And it should be noted that Meat Puppets II was released in 1984 too.

Be really nice if stuff could work out and they could put out Husker Du remasters

An ex remembers his friend walking into their apartment holding it and proclaiming "This is the White Album of punk!"

Interesting! I just ran across a Zine capsule review from that year that called the Pet Soonds and Sgt Pepper of 1984

This has to be wrong. Because if it really was 40 years ago that would mean I'm old.

I did feel "civic pride" when Zen Arcade came out. Suddenly the local hardcore scene I'd latched onto felt bigger, a significant advancement in the "rock" evolution that I had been growing up with.

Life changing record. Definitely desert island choice. People shit on Spot (RIP) but his production/engineering work on this is probably his best. Ya can almost taste the cheap trucker speed & desperation to make a lasting mark. They did.

I got to know Spot fairly well in his years living in Austin. Literally one of the friendliest people I’ve ever known.

idk Husker Du, so this inspired me to listen to What's Going On. I had to put it through PaulStretch to see if it would be "ambient". 6x stretch using .333 seconds sounded right. It's only "ambient" as in "2 blocks from a machine shop in a district of tall office buildings". Original's better IMO.

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