Husker Du - "Eight Miles High" b/w "Masochism World (Live)"

Zen Arcade (SST)

It's rare to find a cover version of a classic song which goes so far as to redefine it in a meaningful way, but Husker Du have managed to pull it off with their cathartic reading of The Byrds "Eight Miles High." Rather than just trashing the piece in disgust (common practise in hardcore), the Huskers strip away the phony psychedelia (it was never a drug song, anyway) to get at the stark centre of its basic theme. Lost innocence and indecision marked the beginnings of self-conscious posturing by 1966, but here the benefit of hindsight makes for an angry rejection of the aftermath (the period in which most of us grew up). By mid-song, the vocals have degenerated into screaming gibberish as the music is propelled forward (upward?) by the band. A classic in its own right, this version brings a relevance to the song that I never thought existed in the here and now.

The inside cover notes that "the whole thing took about 85 hours, the last 40 hours straight for mixing," but don't let that fool you into thinking that Zen Arcade is just a bunch of throwaways. In fact, I can't think of another double album in the punk cannon (not even London Calling - maybe 'cause of culture clash) that comes close to this in terms of depth or consistency. Indeed, this is far more than a punk record, as it refuses to be pinned down, labelled, or dismissed on anything but its own terms.

Of course, there are some reference points which put it into context - it would be wrong to call Zen Arcade "timeless." The first clue, in fact, is "Eight Miles High," which one could view as a prelude for most of the 23 tracks here. For not only is that earlier theme expanded upon, but it is carried further, through the late '60s, the '70s, and straight into the present, all the while maintaining that cutting edge which provides valuable insights to the listener.

"I was talking when I should have been listening / I didn't hear a word that anyone said / It must not have been so very important / 'cuz I was concerned about instead / What's going on / What's going on / What's going on / Inside my head."

Such economy in words doesn't always speak volumes, but Husker Du seem to have the knack for making it work every time. Other "minute" observations include "Hare Krisna," which will have you drawing even fuzzier lines between the cultists and the men from Maytag.

Personality sketches such as "Broken Home, Broken Heart" and "Pink Turns To Blue" are treated with degrees of sensitivity so as to make its characters come alive. The best of these is "Whatever," apparently about the aforementioned solipsism carried to its logical (yet tragic) end in a teenage suicide.

Where does it all lead? Sporadic bursts of anger and frustration on "Indecision Time" and "Somewhere" lead us into side 4, in which we're encouraged to "Turn On The News," if for no better reason than to find out that we're not alone "with all this uptight pushing and shoving/ that keeps us away from who we're loving." This leads straight into the closing "Reoccurring Dreams," a 14-minute instrumental that feeds on the raw feelings which hold the album together, making it more than just an exercise in virtuosity.

Throughout Zen Arcade, the Huskers finally establish themselves beyond a doubt as a band to be reckoned with (something that was only pre-figured on last year's Metal Circus E.P.) Bob Mould's guitar deserves special mention here, but both bassist Greg Norton and drummer Grant Hart have developed their chops to a remarkable level, which I imagine is almost imperative if one wishes to play at the speeds often reached on the album. All cuts are recommended, so do yourself a favour and LISTEN TO THIS RECORD! (or dance to it, for that matter.)