Warehouse: Songs And Stories
Hüsker Dü
1987
Album Summary
Warehouse: Songs and Stories is the sixth and final studio album by alternative rock band Hüsker Dü, originally released by Warner Bros. Records as a double album on two vinyl LPs. The band dissolved following the tour in support of its release, in part due to disagreements between songwriters Bob Mould and Grant Hart over the latter's drug use. This album, along with Candy Apple Grey, showcases the increasing maturity of Mould and Hart's writing—a change which alienated some long-time fans. This album is also known for its battle between the two songwriters, with Mould famously telling Hart that he would never have more than half of the songs on a Hüsker Dü album.Mould later said that this time period was a "rough stretch", but that Warehouse was still a "good record." "Had it been pared back to a single record it might have had more impact, but we were already loggerheads at that point."The album's title comes from the fact that the group had rented some warehouse space in which to write and rehearse; a change from their former practice of writing new material and testing it out on live audiences.During the recording sessions, Hart and Mould replaced a few of Greg Norton's bass tracks for their respective songs when Norton's own contributions were not to their liking. In his autobiography, Mould identified Hart's "Charity, Chastity, Prudence and Hope" as one of the songs whose bass lines were rerecorded, uncredited, by their composers. "Could You Be the One?", was released as a single and video. Other singles released from the album were "She's a Woman (And Now He Is a Man)" and "Ice Cold Ice", with "Tell You Why Tomorrow" also seeing a release as a promotional single. Warehouse: Songs and Stories peaked at #117 on the Billboard Top 200 and also charted for a week on the UK Albums Chart at #72. Hüsker Dü was interviewed and performed "Could You Be the One?" and "She's a Woman (And Now He is a Man)" live on the Late Show with Joan Rivers on April 27, 1987. A cover version of "Up in the Air" was included on Heidi Berry's album Love.
WikipediaI get this was an influential band, and this album was their last. But this was not good. Turns out good bands can be greatly influenced by bad bands.
Why is this so fucking long. It's okay I guess, but I can't sit through over an hour and 20 tracks of it
Wow, absolutely loved this! Sounded like pop punk before it even was pop punk. I had only known one song by Husker Du before, but didn't think to even check out their albums. I'm a fan. (Shocked that the other reviews are so bad!)
Ice Cold Ice was great. I was getting some serious BNL vibes from the vocals throughout which is always a good thing.
I love Hüsker Dü especially Zen Arcade and Candy Apple Grey as well as Bob Mould's other work. So I don't know if I conciously avoided Warehouse Songs or just never got around to it. There are some great songs on here which always the case for Hüsker Dü but it just feels over-long and I don't think the magic of the previous albums is there.
I'm a bit torn. I liked the album quite a bit, but I'm not sure why of all their albums this one was picked. I don't know their stuff well but this was quite the departure from their earlier trailblazing and fast temp days. So I almost feel like a sellout for liking this more subdued version of Husker Du. For me, what I noticed was a bit of a mix of REM mature rock and post punk/early alternative (Social Distortion, Bad Religion, The Replacements). Almost had a Wilco feel at times. It probably didn't need to be 20 songs but I guess that's what happens when two main songwriters can't agree. Even though I probably wouldn't have said this was an album that deserves to be heard before you die - if I was making a list - I enjoyed the sound so much that I'm giving it 4 stars.
"Had it been pared back to a single record it might have had more impact, but we were already loggerheads at that point." You're right about that, Bob. That being said, you're also right when you say you're still proud of this one, just as Grant was, I hope. *Warehouse...* is Hüsker Dü's swan song, and also their second double-album. For the first one, they were still emerging from their first phase as a take-no-quarter hardcore-punk act, and yet also slowly transitioning to some more melodic songs here and there. *Zen Arcade* was therefore not an easy listen for everyone... And yet it was not merely long, it was also inventive, rich, unpredictable. This one here is the end result of that transition to more pop melodies started with that first double-album, after three other LPs, and it highlights the band as a sort of REM rolling on all overdriven cylinders, as most reviewers noted here. Most of the songs on the first two sides are great, even if at first, you might worry that Mould, Hart and Norton might not be able to keep the pace 20 tracks in given the somewhat one-note aspect of that first part. Fortunately, the second side proves those misgivings wrong. There are nice touches in a lot of the tracks (a synth here, some off-kilter rhythms there, a sea shanty..). The last tune, "You Can Live At Home" is one of the best farewell song a band has given to their fans since the one the Beatles did on *Abbey Road*. Of course, it's far weirder than that, with its stragely hypnotic quasi-dance rhythm. But it's fitting for a band that could never be fully cornered in one box. Now is that the *one* album from Hüsker Dü you'd need to select for a list aimed at general audiences? It's a little tricky to say... It's still a long one to digest if you're not keen on punk rock aesthetics (and even if you are, parts of side 3 are a bit lengthy, it's true). On the other hand, *Warehouse...* is far less abrasive than *Zen Arcade*. What about the other records?, you might ask.... Well, *Flip Your Wig* is probably their most cohesive LP, but if some of the songs in it are all-time indie-pop-punk classics, there are still even *bigger* classics on *Zen Arcade* or *Candy Apple Grey*. Whereas *Warehouse* is the most comprehensive and ambitious album of their whole discography, showing the full scope of what Hüsker Dü could accomplish... My oh my, why can't we have a list of *2001* albums instead? Number of albums left to review or just listen to: 842 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory: 86 (including this one--maybe with *Zen Arcade* and/or *Flip your Wig*, if the latter doesn't simply replace it) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 39 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): 32
Good energy in the music, but it was very samey and hard to tell one track from another. Also a word of advice; on double albums you're meant to branch out and experiment, genre hop. Nope, none of that going on here. The backing vocals on several tracks added a little depth and to be fair there was some good guitar playing. But overall (to my ears) this is another unexceptional album on this list. 2.5 rounded up
I like some of the individual pieces of this album but as a whole, not an enjoyable listen for me. Vocals especially rubbed me the wrong way. Kind of felt like "what if REM, but worse"
It's cool to see this type of music coming out of st Paul! Great sounds, love the way the music is somewhat harsh but still easy to listen to.
Not going to lie I’m only 5 songs in but I get the jist. It’s a fun album that I’ll come back too but I’m too many days behind on this list. I remember this on the list of cool bands my older sister and city cousins listened to. And they have an oomlat like me so they’re basically family.
Ah the Du. Was ever such great songwriting let down by such awful production....oh guys you did it yourselves? Try and listen past the fact that the drums sound like they are made out of plastic, and there is no bass, to the late-period Du majesty. There are tunes that are catchy as hell (Could You Be The One, ice cold ice, She's A Woman), thrash outs (closer You Can Live At Home Now) and just plain weird (She Floated Away). A warehouse full of songs and stories.
I was expecting this to be dodgy dance music (not sure why) so I was happily surprised and enjoyed it.
Gave me some major R.E.M. vibes mixed with Barenaked Ladies. I actually really liked this alternative album a lot and didn’t feel like I was listening to the same song over and over on the album.
I had never heard of this band before. My first impression was that they sounded a little like REM, and perhaps some Definitely Maybe era Oasis. I read that they started out as a hardcore punk band and evolved to this indi rock style. I like this music and the style - has a good feel to it. I could imagine listening to this on a solo road trip, on the freeway. And I also think I would enjoy this music live.
Good alternative rock album. Reminiscent of other early alternative/indie bands- kind of like what you'd hear on a college rock station. Very good throughout, enjoyed listening to it- She Floated Away is a cool one that almost sounds like a sea shanty.
Hüsker Dü’s later work is straight alternative rock. It is highly layered both musically and vocally and is very melodic. I read that they are the main link between more simplistic and driving hardcore punk and the melodic college rock that would dominate in the 90s. I think this is the best way to describe the later part of their career. Though their hardcore roots are present, I can hear tinges of Barenaked Ladies and Hootie and the Blowfish here that point towards what would become college rock.
This is pretty good punk rock. It's not amateur hour screaming. It's actually good music. I can hear the basis for a lot of early 2000's alternative here. I wonder if they were inspiration for those musicians. I enjoyed this album.
Jangly melodic indie punk. I used to love this album, but I haven't listened to it in years and I was just disappointed and a bit bored this time round. It still has quite a few amazing tracks, but so many just sound the same.
Reading a few other reviews, a few people have compared this to Barenaked Ladies. Steady on, chaps and chapesses. Them's fighting words round our way. Also, they don't! I have no idea why they'd make that comparison. More reasonably, plenty have noted that this sounds like a heavier REM, mainly because it does. But is that a good thing? I mean, six albums into Hüsker Dü's career (to do umlauts, hold Alt Gr and press 2, then the letter you want umlauted: that's Uncle Stylo's tip of the day), and they've managed to sound like college rock? That seems closer to settling than progressing. Also, why is this a double album? I can't say it gains anything by being supersized, and turns an okay album into an okay album that's twice as long. Now, of course there are highlights and good songs, and there's no fluorescent duds on this, but why would anyone hold this to their heart? Competent but ultimately unlovable. Barenaked Ladies' One Week contains the lyric "Chickity China / The Chinese chicken / You have a drumstick / and your brain stops tickin'". Is it me, or is that a wee bit racist?
My only experience with HD is "Dreams Reoccurring," which was recorded backward. I didn't get in context until reading about that album. It's too bad how the band fell apart after this one, but I can see it. The album is too much, and they admitted it. It should have been edited down to a single album (although which songs should have been cut I am not sure they would have been able to agree upon). A lot of the songs started to sound the same to me. I want to _like_ their stuff, it sounds like something I would be interested in, but this album seemed... bloated to me. Is it highly regarded by HD fans? I wonder...
Not the strongest album of theirs in my opinion. Definitely miss the edge of their earlier stuff
Svårbedömt. Bitvis bra, melodiöst och rockigt, annars för "amerikanskt" och Smash Mouth-punkigt. Bob Goulds röst är ganska tråkig, förutom på ett par spår då han plötsligt låter som Ozzy? Albumet tappar väldigt mycket på sin omfattning. 20 låtar är alldeles för mycket. Spår 5 och 7-14 är ganska bra, och skulle ensamma bilda ett bra album. Nu är det som ett bra album insprängt i ett dåligt. Vilket är synd. Spår 11, She Floated Away, har ett helt annat tempo än resten av skivan, och låter nästan som någon Pouges-aktig shanty. Mkt bra. Överlag, helt ok myspunk. Bästa låt: She Floated Away.
There is nothing interesting or notable other than decent heavy rock and roll guitar playing. That and $5 will get you a ham sandwich.
Rock in a tin can. I should like it. I should love it, even. But I don't. Bob Mould's voice has a lot to do with it. It's too... well, not too anything. That's the problem.
I like some alt rock, but a lot of this album either bored me or made me cringe. The album felt bland to me, especially considering its runtime. It seems like the singer is trying to win a contest called "How many songs can I worsen with my awkward ugly voice." It wasn't all bad, but I don't want to sift through this album again to find the few moments I didn't mind. I thought it got a bit better towards the end. I seriously doubt a real human has ever said "Wow I really feel like listening to some Husker Du today"
I'm quite reassured this one appeared. Recently I've been listening to too many interesting obscure albums I've never heard of and actually being impressed but this one is by a band I've heard of but just never liked and that was way back in the 80's. I appreciate the energy and integrity but see no musical merit. It shouldn't be here I'm afraid.
Really? We're down to the level of "stuff indistinguishable from noise" here?
The best and most important American band of the 80s that most people have never heard of. Not only are Bob Mould and Grant Hart (RIP) great instrumentalists but both of them should also be in the conversation for best songwriters of their generation. Is this album a little overstuffed? Maybe but I don't really care, give me more. Highlights: These Important Years, Standing in the Rain, Ice Cold Ice, Could You Be The One, She Floated Away, Tell You Why Tomorrow, She's A Woman and You Can Live At Home. Also is there a different band called Barenaked Ladies because, the fact that at least two people have compared them to the Hüskers is weird.
A fabulous album. I'm not a HUGE Husker Du fan but I love this album as well as New Day Rising. In fairness I haven't really explored any of the others like Zen Arcade and Flip Your Wig, but revisiting this album makes me want to. The reviews call this album slicker and more polished than previous Husker Du albums, now I don't know about that, but what I do know is the songs are consistently excellent and sound pretty rawe to me. The one negative I would say is the production sounds a little thin to me I would definitely like to more clearly hear bass lines and kick drum but its a minor quibble. For me it's hard to determine if I prefer the Bob Mould songs or the Grant Hart ones, they have different songwriting styles but each appeal to to me in different ways. In summary it's hard to conceive of a better collection of songs. Absolutely one of the best double albums of all time. 5 stars
I had never even heard of Hüsker Dü before listening to this album, so I really wasn't sure what to expect. I ended up loving this album and planning to do a deep dive into Hüsker Dü's discography. I was very surprised to see that this album came out in 1987 - just judging by the sound, I was expecting to see that it came out in the early to mid-nineties. I hear elements of Barenaked Ladies, REM, some songs even gave me a bit of a Weezer vibe. Usually, I don't rate an album a 5 unless I love every single song, or maybe I only dislike 1. I'm making an exception for this one. There were several songs that I strongly disliked - "Charity, Chastity, Prudence and Hope" drove me crazy and I was gritting my teeth until the end - but the good songs were SO good that they brought the album to a five all on their own. Over half the songs on the album are now in my regular rotation. Standout Tracks: "Ice Cold Ice," "Could You Be the One?" "She Floated Away," "No Reservations"
Ik vind dit wel heel lekkere rockmuziek. Het doet me denken aan de oudere albums van Bad Religion. Geweldig! ****
Ja, Husker Du, wat goed dat die in dit lijstje zitten. Lekker om dit album eens te horen
Way too long a run time for an album where each song follows the same formula, but each song was in a poppy hard rock style that I tend to enjoy which has led to a bump to a 4.
Never years of these dudes. Maybe not a 4* album but rates higher for the discovery.
This not the Husker Du album that I expected on this list but still enjoyable.
I love wall of guitars sound though occasionally the solos get overwhelmed. Always good to hear a couple of male voices out front.
Really did not think I was going to like this but you know what, I was actually in to it. I see people reviewing this saying they’re getting Barenaked Ladies vibes to this. I think we’re all picking up an early BNL vibe that may not have actually existed. I can see where they’re coming from though.
The Bob songs sound so different than the Grant songs it's almost like they each are writing their own solo efforts and just pushed the two sets of songs onto the same album. This isn't a bad thing though because each songwriter is going in their own new direction.
Do I like the Husker Du sound? Yes. Do I like over an hour of it? Not sure.
Its a really good rock album, and sort of a feel good album as well Very uplifting and simplistic
Even the members of Husker Du agree - would've been better as a single album. But overall love the vibe and the MN boys making good music. 4 star
I’m old enough to have played the board game before this band even existed! (Yes - Hüsker Du was originally a family/kid-friendly “memory game”) Anyway, not the best game and this is not the best album from the Minneapolis trio. That said, I really like “Could You Be the One” and rest of album is spotty/solid. Bob Mould’s comment that it “ would have been better as a single album” is on point. 3.5 and rounding up!
7/10. Yeah, this sounded a lot like REM. I think I could like a lot of these songs, but as a 69 minute album, it's hard to enjoy
I will admit that this is a band I had only ever heard of and never heard. Once again, though this is not my new favorite album, I can totally hear the origins of later music in the chords of this.
I am late-comer to Husker Du, but I love the energy with hints of melody thrown in. Big fan of this album especially.
De hecho me gustaron varias canciones. Claro que al final todas se parecen
It was fine. I don’t think I care for this band but I should listen more…
Hade kunnat bli en fyra om det var lite mindre långtråkigt och 10 låtar kortare
Buzzsaw guitars with a mix of melancholic melodies. Best Tracks: These Important Years; Ice Cold Ice; Could You Be The One?
Oh boy, only got to track 4 and felt like I had been listening to the album for an eternity, The only thing that stopped each song from sounding similar is the lyrics.
Don't like the sound of the album. Snare drum sounds papery and the guitar tone sounds like a cheap crate.
Coole songs, beetje REM achtig maar dan iets heavier. Kon ik wel waarderen.
I hadn't heard of Husker Du until recently, my initial thought was, oh this is what REM should have been like! After a few listens, it's a bit long, but I'm enjoying it. I can see where other bands got their inspiration, hearing a lot of Green Day in there. 3.5
Pretty lackluster and uninteresting except the songs that sounded like REM, then they just sounded like REM (not a bad thing). Terrible mix too
First time listen here. I Like the jangly guitar sound and sub REM feel. They are good but not in the same class. Favourite Tracks "Ice Cold Ice", "You're A Soldier"
I've heard SO much about this band that I maybe went in with super high expectations. Therefore, I was a little disappointed. That being said, this was a decent album - it just didn't have very many standout moments to me.
Felt like this could have been on the Singles sound track. Not extraordinarily memorable, but gave me that 90s indie rock feel I love.
It was very enjoyable but would have been better on a single disc. Not a fan of double albums unless its for a specific context (i.e. a rock opera) or there's too much quality to waste for b sides.
I've heard a song or two from these guys once before, might even have been covers, but I've never listened to them like that. First off, I love the name Husker Du, just fun and funny to say. But the music is quite good! It's centerline rock music, not doing much of anything out of the ordinary but as far as core rock sound goes they pretty much nail it. It's a long album, and that weighs it down for me, but it's still quite enjoyable and consistent. A handful of tracks I'll return to. I'd be interested to hear another album from them, especially if they've got any one in particular regarded as their magnum opus because I like their simple style. Favorite tracks: Standing in the Rain, Ice Cold Ice, Turn it Around. Album art: Love the vibrant colors at play here. Took a while for me to even focus on and see the image because the colors were delightfully distracting. But that's all you need baby, it works! 3.5/5
After listening to this album, I wonder if I'm more of a Husker Don't. Also the name reminds me of the fireworks from Joe Dirt. It wasn't a bad album, just nothing special. Been a quiet week so far.
This is good. Surprised I haven't heard of them before. Need to listen to older albums