Grant Hart

In the rock world, singing drummers are almost as rare as talking dogs. But Grant Hart, the man who assaulted the kit for Hüsker Dü throughout the '80s, was more than a novelty back in the day. Besides writing and lending his voice to almost as many Hüsker classics as his guitar-slinging counterpart, Bob Mould, Hart carved a distinct and melodic niche for himself — one that he's never fully developed since the breakup of Hüsker Dü in 1988. Now firmly ensconced behind the six-string, Hart has just issued Hot Wax, the latest of an intermittent string of solo albums. As with previous solo work — not to mention the post-Hüsker group Nova Mob — Hot Wax is more of a sprawling and organic take on Hart's dark melodicism and poetic bent, magnified this time around by simpatico accompaniment from members of the epic-sounding post-rock ensembles Godspeed You! Black Emperor and A Silver Mt. Zion. The setup might be a bit streamlined at Hart's intimate hi-dive show, but there's sure to be plenty of epic songcraft on display.