10 Best Punk Rock Albums Of The 1980s
2. Husker Du - Zen Arcade
Few bands heralded the new wave of punk rock like Husker Du. There had been punk double and even triple albums before now, but nothing quite like Zen Arcade, a non-stop, action packed 70 minute ride with a cohesive story, experimental, multi-faceted music, and a sturdy punk spine all the way through.
Like so many in the genre, Husker Du were eager to break beyond what was supposedly possible in punk, and principle songwriters Bob Mould and Greg Hart certainly widened the palette on this record. Opener “Something I’ve Learned Today” moves at a hardcore pace, but with melodic, almost shimmering guitars.
“Never Talking To You Again” has a psychedelic flavour, and “Dreams Recurring” uses studio trickery to create a blur of sounds that are abrasive and odd, but again with a core of tunefulness throughout.
The album’s best known track “Pink Turns To Blue” is an instant open hearted classic, albeit with blown out guitars, and closer "Reoccurring Dreams" takes up almost the entirety of the fourth side of vinyl. It’s experimental music made by lab-trained punks.