Customer Reviews

Intolerance

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Why has this record stayed with me in a way so few others have? Because the music betrays an almost casual intelligence that never stops penetrating? Is it the weird juxtaposition of gloriously hopeful music subverted by self-destructive lyrics? Or is it merely that it's one of the great rock and roll records of the last ten years? All three, and more. Buy it, play it, enjoy.

There are weeks during which this CD does not leave my cd player. Buy it and listen to it over and over and over again. Every tune is gut-achingly beautiful

The rest is fun and as raw a recording as they come

"Grant Hart's first full-length solo album after the breakup of Hüsker Dü, 1989's INTOLERANCE is an eclectic, sometimes disorienting mishmash of styles that surprisingly works more often than not. From the psychedelic tape frenzy and carnival organ of the opening "All of My Senses" onwards, Hart largely disavows his punk roots in favor of a variety of late-'60s styles, including the Dylanish (complete with caterwauling harmonica) "Now That You Know Me" and the sneering Van Morrison-like shuffle "You're the Victim", one of several songs that seem to touch on the acrimonious breakup of Hüsker Dü. The harrowing "The Main" is a piano-led, almost gospel-like first-person chronology of drug addiction & one of the best, most vivid and personal songs Hart has ever written. The remake of "2541," his pained remembrance of the band's old rehearsal space from his debut EP, gives the previously acoustic song a dose of electric rock & roll energy that suits it just fine. It didn't get the press attention of Bob Mould's much slicker WORKBOOK, out around the same time, but INTOLERANCE is the better album."

For a time, I was quite the Husker Du fan. Grant Hart was the singer/songwriter of some of the best material from this legendary post-punk band. "Statues", "Diane", "If I Told You", and "Pink Turns to Blue" were some of his best songs from the early days and, on the Warner Brothers releases, I found Hart's tracks often were superior to Bob Mould's. I was always a little interested in seeking out Hart's solo work and, when I finally found this album in a record store, I broke down and bought it. I am very glad I did. This album is very enjoyable even as I listen to it in 2003. "All of My Senses", as other reviewers have pointed out, is amazing. It is followed by the harmonica-driven "Now That You Know Me." "The Main" is a gospel track which was a surprise to hear. The second side (or second half of the CD) starts with a couple of 60s sounding tracks. "Twenty-five Forty-one" is a fun number. "Roller Rink" is an instrumental dominated by a psychedelic organ. "You're the Victim" is Hart's stab at former band mate Mould (who released his first solo album, the brilliant Workbook, the same year). The album is different than Hart's Husker Du work, however, remains of the band's famous sound are still very evident on "Fanfare in D Minor" and, especially, the short guitar eruption "Reprise". I agree with one of the reviewers, "The other guy in Husker Du...He's good too".

grant's first album after husker du imploded is the best solo release from either grant or bob mould. two filler songs, roller rink and anything, are all that keep this from 5 stars. grant comes out (ahem) of bob's shadow with a vengeance from the get go, and not by aping the husker du sound. grant's material with the band was more melodic and pop sounding than bob's, and the songs on this release, despite serious & troubling lyric concerns, are memorable & stay with you. there's nothing on here that bowls you over with the fury grant used to play with, yet the rockers are exciting (2541 & now that you know me) and the ballads are soaring (the main, she can see the angels coming). the dig at bob (you're the victim) is reminiscent of dylans positively 4th street. on top of all that, all of my senses is one of the most perfect opening numbers of all time. even if you dont like husker du, sugar, nova mob, etc, get this cd.

I love all of Grant Hart's work, and Intolerance is no exception. Come to think of it, he's such a great writer that maybe you could call this a book.... Hmmm...

I would like "Now That You Know Me," "Fanfare In D Major (Come, Come)" and "Twenty-Five Forty-One" a whole lot more if I hadn't already heard superior versions of them elsewhere. "Now That You Know Me" benefits from Bob Mould's spiky guitar on the Husker Du live collection The Living End. And the other two songs were a lot prettier in their simpler forms on the EP; the busier arrangements here don't help them at all. But even in these renditions, they're still pretty good songs.

In addition, the leadoff track, "All Of My Senses," is lengthy and ambitious, the instrumental "Roller-Rink" is agreeable and "She Can See The Angels Coming" is touching. So, all in all, a decent effort.