Land Speed Record fully exposes the rage and manic energy that drove Hüsker Dü to dizzying heights of creative and critical success; it's an incredible (though appallingly poor-sounding) document of a live Minneapolis show from 1981 featuring the band in its embryonic form. Bob Mould and company seem bent on driving themselves to the brink of insanity as they plow through the performance with all the subtlety of a freight train out of control. As part of Hüsker history, it is of great interest to die-hard fans and rock critics alike. Unfortunately, it also exposes shortcomings--most notably sloppy playing--though these are easily forgiven considering the band's future contributions. --Mike Corrigan
