Zen Arcade cover

Zen Arcade

Released

If hardcore was starting to become addicted to its own rules, St. Paul’s most intense smash-and-grab trio were having a blast figuring out how to subvert them. Zen Arcade is still hard/loud/fast, but in ways that flirt with psychedelia and folk and sounds not-yet-codified. The run on the double LP’s Side 2 alone (from the manic “Beyond the Threshold” to the lung-collapsing “Standing by the Sea“) is enough to mint lifelong zealots.

Nate Patrin

Recommended by

Suggestions
Brasil cover

Brasil

Ratos de Porão
No Control cover

No Control

Bad Religion
Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby cover

Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby

Girls Against Boys
Spirits cover

Spirits

The Devil Makes Three
Dreamy cover

Dreamy

Beat Happening
Goat cover

Goat

The Jesus Lizard
Lacuna cover

Lacuna

Caravels