Soul Asylum

Produced by Husker Du's Bob Mould, this album features plenty of blaring guitars and shouted vocals, but it's most notable for the early stirrings of Dave Pirner's songwriting gift. In between the generic punkish moves there are flashes of lyrical brilliance and genuinely inventive arrangements. "Never Really Been" showcases everything that made this band great.

Unless the meaning of life is passing me by, Bob Mould's proteges are the latest concept band, admired more for their correct aesthetics than for how they actually sound (or what they actually say). Fast turmoil rools, with hints of metal anthem and country warmth sunk deep enough in the mix that nobody'll cry corny. As a concept, pretty admirable. (Grade - B)