Metal Circus EP | Mint (M) Mint (M)

BRAND NEW

Label:    SST Records – SST 020, Reflex Records (5) – Reflex G
Format:    Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM, EP, Repress
Country:    US
Released:    2012
Genre:    Rock
Style:    Hardcore

A1        Real World    2:27
A2        Deadly Skies    1:50
A3        It's Not Funny Anymore    2:12
A4        First Of The Last Calls    2:48
B1        Lifeline    2:19
B2        Diane    4:42
B3        Out On A Limb    2:39

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Reflex Records (5)
Copyright © – Reflex Music
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Reflex Music
Recorded At – Total Access Recording Studios
Mixed At – Total Access Recording Studios
Mastered At – K Disc Mastering
Mastered At – Greg Lee Processing – L-15122
Pressed By – Rainbo Records – S-22061
Pressed By – Rainbo Records – S-22062
Producer – Hüsker Dü
Producer, Engineer – Spot
Sleeve – Fake Name Graphx*
Songwriter – Bob Mould (tracks: A1, A2, A4, B1, B3), Grant Hart (tracks: A3, B2)
Recorded and mixed at Total Access, Redondo Beach, CA, US, December, 1982 to January, 1983.
Mastered at K-Disc, Los Angeles, US.
All Songs © ℗ 1983 REFLEX MUSIC
Matrix / Runout (Runout Groove Side A): SST-020-A, THAT OLD STAINLESS CHARITY. IF YOU COULD SEE ME NOW, SHIRLEY., S-22061, L-15122, kdisc (stamp)
Matrix / Runout (Runout Groove Side B): SST-020-B, FALLING FROM GRACE WITH THE GOOSE; HOWARD HUGHES, A WING, A PRAYER, (SEE BELOW), S-22062, L-15122-x, kdisc (stamp)
Barcode: 018861002019

The difference between Husker Du's furious live 1981 debut and the seven-song mini-album METAL CIRCUS is considerable. While the trio didn't exactly become mellow, these cuts are much more identifiable as songs. Additionally, some of the elements that would mark their signature recordings are here, particularly Bob Mould's distinctive guitar sound, like that of malevolent bagpipes. Where most of the vocals on the debut recording were by Grant Hart, Mould's bilious bray dominates this one. At this point, Husker Du's stock in trade was still short blasts of fury, but unlike LAND SPEED RECORD, these songs have discernible verses and choruses, even occasionally comprehensible lyrics. Yet there is no let-up in the joyous anger of the music. Mould's musical vision had begun to take shape, especially on "Real World," which features the plangent guitar work that became his signature. Grant Hart's songwriting had also taken a leap forward: "It's Not Funny Anymore" with its stripped-down, somewhat sing-songy melody foreshadows the more melodic direction that the band would take, and "Diane"--a twisted first-person tale of rape, is a sort of distant cousin to Nirvana's "Polly."

• Media Condition: Mint (M)
• Sleeve Condition: Mint (M)
• Format: Vinyl
• Genre: ROCK
• RSD Date: n/a
• Format Type: 12"
• Released: 10/17/1990