Formed in 1979, Minnesota power trio Hüsker Dü came up through the early-80s hardcore punk scene and gained a following in 1983 when their EP Metal Circus, with its yin-yang combination of ferocity and melody and mostly two-minute tracks, started picking up college radio play. Then when Zen Arcade landed in July 1984 it caused a mighty, alt.rock splash. Although it included some of their most thrilling punk rock speed rides, it was a hugely ambitious double-vinyl concept album.
Written and recorded quickly, and with most of the basic tracks put down in one take, Zen Arcade was based on a personal rite–of–passage story, from youth to manhood. It encompassed acoustic strums, piano miniatures, Indian-inspired psychedelia, and the 14-minute instrumental Reoccurring Dreams. Both drummer/vocalist Grant Hart and guitarist/vocalist Bob Mould were evolving as songwriters, and they showed they could turn out Beatles-y melodies and sing rough-hewn harmonies.
