soren@reed.UUCP (Soren Peterson) (10/28/85)
This juxtaposition of Kate Bush and Husker Du is quite auspicious, since within the last twenty-four hours I have, for the first time heard the latest album of the former and seen the latter in concert. I found *Hounds of Love* to be "interesting" and, in fact, quite listenable, despite the fact that the lyrics ranged, for the most part, from obscure to pretentious--really, people, if you can't say it comprehensibly, why say it at all, especially since in KB's case she is trying to say *something*--anyway, I thought the that "Mother Stands for Comfort," and "Cloudbusting" were the best songs on the album. The Husker Du show was one of the best shows I've seen in quite a while. HD mainly played stuff from their last two albums--only one song from *Zen Arcade*--and what sounded like a few new songs. No "Eight Miles High" this time but by the end of the show everything was a sonic blurr anyhow. This was the first time I had seen them, but I suspect that this show was more polished than previous. However, they are still LOUD. Their encore, "Ticket to Ride" (yes, *that* "Ticket to Ride"...) and one of their incredible ten minute jams is still ringing in my ears. The theme of the evening, was in fact, loudness. There were two opening bands, both of whom also made good use of the properties of high volume. The Rats, a local Portland band, was very tight, and very professional, and could become very hot indeed if they ever write decent lyrics. Their current lyrics are right out of the Huey Lewis songbook. Soul Asylum are a Minneapolis band with an album out on Twin/Tone who (stop me if I am wrong) used to be called Loud Fast Rules. Anyway they are a very good thrash band with a surprisingly melodic base reminiscent of the Ramones and (surprise) Husker Du. They are touring with Husker Du and I heard that they are one of HD's favorite bands. And yes they are loud. I don't know where they are going next, but it is a show well worth seeing. The best recorded Husker Du is the *New Day Rising* and *Zen Arcade* albums and the "Eight Miles High" single--all on SST. Their latest album, *Flip Your Wig,* is not quite as good, although worth hearing, their earlier stuff I don't know about. Before anyone flames me for spending so much time on what might sound like a totally mindless experience, I should point out that Husker Du know exactly what they are doing--their instrumental work is truly mindblowing where a lesser band would only be boring. On the other hand, why the hell am I apologizing to a bunch of techno-art snobs who wouldn't know powerful music if it came up and beat them senseless... Have a nice day, Soren.