| Full Review | Ratings (985) |
Give your Rating |
0.0 | jagride | October 28th 15 | without getting into its importance, influence, yadda yadda, a prime hart and mould taking lots of drugs and pouring all their energy into a double album was a good thing. classic songs that make me feel like it's 1984 and i'm a marginalized kid living in a shitty town where young republicans in letterman jackets hold rallies to sieg heil reagan daily. not to say that the themes they dealt with here are era specific, because the feelings of rage and desperation for escape pumped into these tunes will always be relevant. doesn't quite hit me like it used to and there's some duds over the course of 70 minutes but songs like chartered trips, what's goin on and pink turns to blue cannot be denied.
1 Bumps | Bump |
5.0 classic | Karamazov | November 25th 12 | A hardcore band releases a double concept album in 1984. A risky move, but they pulled it off. So many great songs, especially "Pink Turns to Blue" and "Never Talking to You". A must listen album.
1 Bumps | Bump |
5.0 classic | TheManMachine | August 31st 12 | A sprawling slab of experimental punk&roll dispersed through various methods - whether it be pop song mastery, anxiety-ridden anthems, sloppy pre-grunge thrash attacks, mantras or interludes; it all adds up to a major work that is also their most determined, strung out, and idealistic. Not bad for an album full of first takes.
1 Bumps | Bump |
2.0 poor | Deez | August 23rd 23 | husker pu
Bump |
4.5 superb | BillyBrill | September 17th 22 | Even without taking into account its influence, Zen Arcade is a testament to the success of conceptual alt rock at a major shifting point in the genre. Real bangers on this, most towering of all the immense Reoccurring Dreams, a 14 minute wall of shredding distortion, inevitably hypnotising any listener. An incredible achievement, and one of my new favourites
Bump |
3.5 great | davezillaMP3 | July 22nd 20 | while its significance cannot be denied, it did not really age the best. that being said, it is not unlistenable by any means and is still quite good.
Bump |
4.2 excellent | Erwann S. STAFF | July 2nd 20 | 1984: The year alt rock broke. 1984: the year of Minutemen's Double Nickels on the Dime and Husker Du's Zen Arcade. While most tracks still retain the hardcore energy and lo-fi production the band started its career with, this is the pinnacle of the noisy, hooks-full formula they showed on In a Free Land and Metal Circus. Before Nirvana made it popular, this is the one record that first mixed pop and heavy music. The idea sounds so simple: play a pop song, shout your anger, blast the distortion. Still, don't expect Nevermind: this is a difficult record, as all trailblazers are. For every successful record you know, there's the proto version, rougher, less marketable, but more adventurous. So, yes, sometimes it's a bit of a noisy mess. But when the pop melodies start crawling their way into your head, this fucking hits.
Bump |
3.0 good | Gene Gol CONTRIBUTOR | June 12th 20 | I understand the cultural significance of this album and a lot of the songs are really good, but the album definitely did not age well. The production is ugly, runtime needlessly long and 60% of songs serviceable if not downright forgettable. It's a good album, but take away the timing of its release and the novelty sound, it's not that outstanding.
Bump |
3.5 great | IsildursBane44 | April 6th 20 | I appreciate the influence, but I wish this was a little cleaner with the mix. Not hearing the vocals consistently drives me up the wall. (Edit): Liking this more, but the closer ruins some of the build.
Bump |
2.0 poor | Damus | May 14th 15 | Just do not see what people see in this. There are a few hits, "Something I Learned Today" being one of them. Randomized piano parts. Frustratingly repetitive singing. Bad lyrics. Compared to other classic acts (Bad Brains, Minor Threat) this doesn't compare. As much as I wanted it to. Have no inclination to return for another listen.
Bump |
4.5 superb | TRMshadow | August 30th 13 | Definitely enjoying this on 2nd attempt the better part of a decade later. Finding a lot more to enjoy (still can't get into Black Flag) and enjoying the production on this one a lot.
Bump |
4.5 superb | derho | January 19th 13 | In 1984, hardcore had a heart-attack. "Zen Arcade" sees the Huskers spreading their arms and
experimenting in ways their contemporaries never could have imagined. And this is no mixed-
bag mushfest. From the opening slam of "Something I Learned Today" to the hurricane-swirling
chaos of "Recurring Dreams", the band provide consistently fresh performances. Side two is
hardcore at its most poetic (lyrically and musically), side three is psychedelia at its most
explosive, and side four is dumb punk at its most intelligent. The concept of the record is
easy to ignore, the story of a punk runaway trying to find himself (by the way it's all a
dream), but funneled through Bob Mould's strikingly emotional delivery, it takes new shape,
particularly in the context of Mould and drummer Grant Hart's struggles for acceptance as
gay punks in a scene knee-deep in ignorance. The dichotomy between the smart and the naieve
is painful and touching, and is reflected in the music. A bit innocent, at times, but a
truly remarkable achievement. 9.5/10
Bump |
4.0 excellent | JordanJMichael | October 22nd 10 | First of all, Zen Arcade was the climax for Husker Du. The band tried everything. It's like Bob Mould and Grant Hart were battling to one up each other as the album moved from beginning to end. And, what an end. The 13-minute psychedelic wail of "Reoccurring Dreams," is just that –– a never ending fantasy of noise making bliss.
Oh, this double LP has 22 other songs to offer and not one is weak. it's a sprawl. The liner notes state that every song was recorded as a first take, except for "Something I Learned Today" and "Newest Industry" because "it started too fast," the band writes. The recording and mixing took only 85 hours, and 40 of that was mixing. Keep that in mind when you spin Zen Arcade because that alone makes the music even more unreal.
Husker Du was now, officially, a talented group. It's two previous albums and a live record were washes of pounding noise. On Zen Arcade, the three members try everything –– noisy psychedelia, pop songs, pianos, tape experiments, and acoustic numbers. It's reckless, but beautiful; righteous, but focused.
Husker Du took off after Zen Arcade and were only derailed by drug problems and major label missteps. At least the band can rest knowing that Zen Arcade started its own mini-revolution.
–– Jordan J. Michael
Bump |
4.5 superb | doofy | January 8th 24 |
4.5 superb | Ben STAFF | November 12th 23 |
4.0 excellent | perival | October 1st 23 |
4.5 superb | Jalapeno CONTRIBUTOR | June 13th 23 |
4.0 excellent | Halez | June 4th 23 |
5.0 classic | random | May 29th 23 |
3.5 great | ffs | April 2nd 23 |
2.5 average | Gimbi | March 19th 23 |
4.0 excellent | Prole | January 26th 23 |
4.5 superb | MvdW | September 12th 22 |
4.5 superb | Jerrad | July 26th 22 |
4.5 superb | Ewgads | March 5th 22 |
4.5 superb | mongo77 | November 10th 21 |
4.5 superb | tonydip | November 3rd 21 |
4.0 excellent | biggzhc | October 25th 21 |
4.5 superb | nbats | September 17th 21 |
3.5 great | KuyJuk | September 16th 21 |
4.5 superb | Harff7 | September 16th 21 |
2.5 average | Votex | July 25th 21 |
5.0 classic | Risodo | July 22nd 21 |
4.0 excellent | Roidv | July 8th 21 |
4.5 superb | peahat | June 28th 21 |
3.5 great | fog CONTRIBUTOR | March 11th 21 |
5.0 classic | CalinD | December 3rd 20 |
5.0 classic | Fort23 | November 16th 20 |
4.5 superb | dbkgvx | July 25th 20 |
3.5 great | Emo | July 20th 20 |
4.5 superb | Source | July 5th 20 |
3.5 great | FLRTE | May 27th 20 |
3.0 good | TOBD | March 19th 20 |
4.5 superb | Uzumaki | February 20th 20 |
4.5 superb | kkarron | January 23rd 20 |
5.0 classic | yoil | January 1st 20 |
4.0 excellent | Rager99 | November 30th 19 |
3.5 great | Rail | July 30th 19 |
3.5 great | solrage | February 11th 19 |
3.0 good | thurs | February 4th 19 |
5.0 classic | Josh | January 23rd 19 |
5.0 classic | MattyF | December 27th 18 |
4.0 excellent | dunnope | November 17th 18 |
3.0 good | 2ool | November 14th 18 |
4.5 superb | GoAway | September 3rd 18 |
3.5 great | NateMa | August 15th 18 |
5.0 classic | kloo | March 25th 18 |
5.0 classic | DBGKVX | February 21st 18 |
3.5 great | Fatbop | January 2nd 18 |
4.0 excellent | WilliamJ | December 10th 17 |
4.5 superb | facundo | November 23rd 17 |
5.0 classic | gschwen | October 8th 17 |
4.0 excellent | GazAldo | July 12th 17 |
4.5 superb | Denis | May 27th 17 |
5.0 classic | bSmith | May 19th 17 |
3.5 great | Pon EMERITUS | April 30th 17 |
4.0 excellent | Wolfe | March 27th 17 |
2.5 average | dosia | February 24th 17 |
4.0 excellent | Pheenix | December 28th 16 |
5.0 classic | Brumas | November 28th 16 |
5.0 classic | lumucc | October 4th 16 |
4.0 excellent | p4p | July 31st 16 |
5.0 classic | xxm | July 15th 16 |
5.0 classic | Henry | June 3rd 16 |
4.0 excellent | Andrew | May 19th 16 |
4.5 superb | Tom Read CONTRIBUTOR | March 9th 16 |
4.5 superb | bobby72 | February 17th 16 |
4.5 superb | timmy36 | February 9th 16 |
4.5 superb | Ankit | February 4th 16 |
4.5 superb | Abraxas | December 30th 15 |
5.0 classic | jtswope | December 25th 15 |
4.5 superb | Atrophy | December 13th 15 |
4.5 superb | borya | November 26th 15 |
5.0 classic | Muzaker | September 23rd 15 |
4.5 superb | heck | June 25th 15 |
4.5 superb | boab92 | June 22nd 15 |
4.5 superb | spur55 | June 8th 15 |
5.0 classic | werex | March 31st 15 |
5.0 classic | Amiv | March 2nd 15 |
4.0 excellent | Asterix | February 23rd 15 |
4.5 superb | Loge | January 31st 15 |
5.0 classic | TVparty | January 27th 15 |
4.0 excellent | Nigtwig | January 15th 15 |
4.0 excellent | habster3 | December 25th 14 |
5.0 classic | Lodger | December 16th 14 |
3.5 great | Runeii | November 9th 14 |
4.5 superb | tancrni | September 21st 14 |
4.5 superb | SunnRa | September 20th 14 |
4.5 superb | apert | September 10th 14 |
5.0 classic | Xar | September 2nd 14 |
5.0 classic | Avalyn | July 29th 14 |
4.0 excellent | mrfixit | July 27th 14 |
4.5 superb | jimbon | July 24th 14 |
4.5 superb | Jackus | July 22nd 14 |
4.0 excellent | SkaCali | June 12th 14 |
3.5 great | Lotus | June 6th 14 |
3.0 good | ethos | April 30th 14 |
3.5 great | ALC2431 | February 28th 14 |
5.0 classic | MKJK | February 20th 14 |
5.0 classic | Bug | February 12th 14 |
5.0 classic | inajar | February 4th 14 |
4.5 superb | Ringo00 | January 28th 14 |
4.0 excellent | adr | January 20th 14 |
3.0 good | Wreck | January 3rd 14 |
4.0 excellent | Zeg | December 24th 13 |
5.0 classic | zundza | December 15th 13 |
4.5 superb | arnnnau | December 7th 13 |
5.0 classic | maoam | November 29th 13 |
5.0 classic | Sithese | November 25th 13 |
5.0 classic | COSM | November 9th 13 |
4.5 superb | Guzzo10 | November 8th 13 |
4.5 superb | craven | October 22nd 13 |
5.0 classic | Playm | October 1st 13 |
4.5 superb | zackseb | September 30th 13 |
5.0 classic | wabbit | September 15th 13 |
4.5 superb | Janson | August 3rd 13 |
3.0 good | Eons | July 24th 13 |
4.5 superb | 6sic6 | July 18th 13 |
4.5 superb | Ulshad | July 3rd 13 |
4.0 excellent | jmh886 | June 17th 13 |
4.5 superb | tarkus | April 20th 13 |
4.0 excellent | BigHans | March 1st 13 |
4.0 excellent | PunkMoon | February 27th 13 |
4.0 excellent | Yubanme | February 22nd 13 |
3.0 good | bobbi | February 21st 13 |
4.5 superb | CK | February 19th 13 |
5.0 classic | SamPJ93 | February 14th 13 |
3.5 great | Penlord | February 12th 13 |
4.5 superb | ANJ45 | January 2nd 13 |
4.5 superb | Ire | December 27th 12 |
3.5 great | cb123 | December 18th 12 |
5.0 classic | arcane | November 26th 12 |
5.0 classic | Doxxman | November 26th 12 |
4.0 excellent | dwejkk | November 20th 12 |
5.0 classic | Mac666 | November 19th 12 |
4.0 excellent | WBalls | November 18th 12 |
3.5 great | pleaxe | November 7th 12 |
4.5 superb | Matski | November 5th 12 |
4.0 excellent | pbass0 | November 4th 12 |
5.0 classic | Trike | October 26th 12 |
4.0 excellent | Darkeve | September 27th 12 |
5.0 classic | Damon | September 22nd 12 |
4.0 excellent | Tulten | September 17th 12 |
4.0 excellent | cjo | September 3rd 12 |
5.0 classic | scheim | July 30th 12 |
4.0 excellent | jlech | May 13th 12 |
4.0 excellent | Mike08 | May 5th 12 |
4.5 superb | Scoot | March 26th 12 |
3.5 great | Yotimi | March 7th 12 |
4.0 excellent | Dotcommy | February 12th 12 |
5.0 classic | lukidd | December 26th 11 |
5.0 classic | Yakman | December 5th 11 |
4.5 superb | KILL | November 28th 11 |
3.5 great | Trebor. EMERITUS | November 13th 11 |
5.0 classic | petrrr | October 18th 11 |
4.0 excellent | JJwins | October 7th 11 |
3.5 great | divoz | October 4th 11 |
3.5 great | Bossie | September 11th 11 |
4.5 superb | true | August 14th 11 |
4.5 superb | Sowilo | August 4th 11 |
3.5 great | mgnplz | July 17th 11 |
4.5 superb | Jurieu | July 15th 11 |
5.0 classic | krkat | June 17th 11 |
4.5 superb | MJongo | May 16th 11 |
5.0 classic | Fibro | April 29th 11 |
5.0 classic | mmadden | February 20th 11 |
4.0 excellent | Deathcar | February 14th 11 |
4.0 excellent | Rumulox | January 2nd 11 |
4.0 excellent | Ghrist | December 6th 10 |
4.5 superb | gnr61 | December 5th 10 |
4.0 excellent | kleazos | November 25th 10 |
4.0 excellent | pumi | November 13th 10 |
3.5 great | kount | November 5th 10 |
4.0 excellent | shindip | September 28th 10 |
4.0 excellent | ShyGuy | August 17th 10 |
4.5 superb | EPence | August 15th 10 |
4.5 superb | IAJP | August 14th 10 |
4.0 excellent | Zoso4 | July 22nd 10 |
2.5 average | Brad52 | June 22nd 10 |
4.5 superb | Cavs | June 21st 10 |
4.5 superb | BlueW | June 21st 10 |
4.0 excellent | quaoar | June 1st 10 |
4.0 excellent | Valle | March 30th 10 |
5.0 classic | Kiran EMERITUS | February 11th 10 |
4.0 excellent | RoshanC | January 18th 10 |
4.0 excellent | handoman | December 21st 09 |
5.0 classic | splurge | December 2nd 09 |
4.5 superb | Ricven | October 15th 09 |
4.0 excellent | Ceziria | October 7th 09 |
5.0 classic | kord | September 2nd 09 |
5.0 classic | kitsch | August 6th 09 |
4.5 superb | blurkom | February 12th 09 |
5.0 classic | jhaga | February 11th 09 |
4.0 excellent | Mikesn EMERITUS | October 7th 08 |
4.0 excellent | Clara | May 26th 08 |
3.0 good | MrKite | April 12th 08 |
3.0 good | Thyrm | March 7th 08 |
5.0 classic | Hep Kat | February 24th 08 |
5.0 classic | CFD | December 29th 07 |
3.5 great | egn56 | November 22nd 07 |
4.5 superb | yohnav | October 31st 07 |
| |
Give Your Opinion on Zen Arcade
|