Never Getting Anywhere

Was in a Hüsker Dü mood today and was reminded that side 2 of Candy Apple Grey is a song-suite that can stand up to any lofty Concept Album. And then there’s this one, from Warehouse. A song about futility (“poor bird flies up in the air, never getting anywhere”) but delivered with a rousing suckerpunch chorus. And though it’s Bob Mould’s tune, that chorus really soars on the wings of Grant Hart’s backing vocals. Which is kind of touching when you bear in mind that those two basically couldn’t stand each other by that point. To make something beautiful, you gotta rise above.

• Hüsker Dü, “Up in the Air” (buy here)