Review Summary: Everything Falls Apart is one of the greatest rock'n roll albums ever made. An album that rebelled against the rebelling of their fellow punkers music. A KICKASS album.
To say that
Hüsker Dü revolutionized hardcore punk would be the right thing to start off this review with. 'Cause they really did. Whenever someone mentions hardcore punk - people think of
Ian MacKaye,
Black Flag and those black guys (
Bad Brains). Whenever someone mentions emocore punk - people think off
Embrace and
Rites of Spring. I'm not saying they shouldn't; I'm just saying... you know... where the hell would all of you be without
Bob Mould,
Greg Norton and
Grant Hart? Emocore would maybe never exist without
Hüsker Dü. The diy and indie ethics; the punk and alternative sound would never be the same after Hüsker Dü entered the scene.
Hüsker Dü was the first hardcore outfit that started writing personal, as well as social comments. They always showed a lot more vulnerability in their writing (much more so than
Minor Threat did), than the hardcore bands that focused merely on political (or, anti-political) commentary.
But not only their lyrics was responsible for making Hüsker Dü stand out from the crowd. Their music was highly creative and really original, comparing to other more "trashing" bands. Grant Hart's special way of playing thumpy drums slightly behind the beat, Greg Norton's furious bass and Bob Mould's unique guitar-sound. Together those three instruments made uniquely melodic music, especially considering they after all were a hardcore band.
Another strength this band had, was their two main writers. Bob Mould's and Grant Hart's styles of writing were pretty different from each other, and consequently brought a great deal of variation to the bands albums.
This is their first studio album. And WHAT a great first studio album it is. Recorded in June-July 1982, and released on their very own
Reflex Records in 1983. This is an album that explores feelings, and asks personal questions. And not only does it contain masterly written lyrics. It also contains some high-level kickass punk rawk music, at quick pace.
The songs are written almost solely by Mr. Mould, with the exception of "Wheels" - by Grant Hart, and the two opening songs co-written by Mould together with Norton. And this album really lets you learn a lot about Bob Mould's fiery soul and passion. 'Cause that's what this is primarily about. Passion. And kickass punk rawk. And for that, it will be remembered as a true rock'n roll classic.
From violent angry songs such as "Punch Drunk", "Bricklayer" and "Wheels" to melancholic blue-feeling songs such as "Everything Falls Apart" and the lovely "Gravity" - this is an album produced by a band of immense talent, and incredible passion.
This perfectly sums up the bands ability to play fast, aggressive and loud - whilst it on the other hand demonstrates their ability to write catchy and appealing beautiful bittersweet melodies (who give you a hint of the catchy punk rock that will come later on in their career); and it's bound to shock you. If you're expecting hardcore - you'll get shocked. If you're expecting emocore - you'll get shocked. If your expecting 70s style British punk rock - you'll get shocked. If you're expecting pop music - you'll get shocked. You get what you get. And that is Hüsker Dü at their very best.
All in all this is an album that you have to get, if you're a fan of rock'n roll. I'd especially recommend the 1993 Compact Disc
Everything Falls Apart and More, which includes quite a few nifty bonus tracks for you.
