HUSKER DU’S IT AGAIN

“FLIP YOUR WIG.” Husker Du. SST. When this Minneapolis trio released its double album opus, “Zen Arcade” two years ago, many critics felt that this one-time speed-punk band had reached its artistic pinnacle. With the release of the equally titanic “Flip Your Wig,” it’s obvious that Husker Du has just begun to tap its resources. With two excellent songwriters in guitarist-vocalist Bob Mould and drummer Grant Hart, this is a great band in the making, playing the real rock of the ‘80s. As ferocious waves of crackling guitar chords crash into bright pop harmonies, Husker Du presents an honest working-class garage rock aesthetic fine- tuned by an innate sense of sharp pop craftsmanship.

On “Zen Arcade,” the Huskers acknowledged past sources. Here they absorb them: “Hate Paper Doll” gleefully perverts bubblegum-pop, “Green Eyes” balances a glowing romantic tribute with a biting, memorable chorus, the dislocated imagery of “Find Me” comes with clashing dissonant chords worthy of the sonic sound sculptures of Glenn Branca (as do the closing instrumentals on this record). Raw power has rarely sounded this graceful and articulate. Husker Du plays at Fender’s Thursday and Charley’s Obsession Friday.