Description

Run Westy Run – Hardly Not Even – Cassette

Hardly, Not Even is the third studio album by the Minneapolis-based alternative rock band Run Westy Run, released in 1992 on Twin/Tone Records. Known for their dynamic blend of post-punk, alternative rock, and garage rock, Run Westy Run were part of the influential Twin Cities music scene that also produced bands like The Replacements, Hüsker Dü, and Soul Asylum.

While Run Westy Run never reached the same commercial heights as some of their contemporaries, they earned a loyal following for their raw, energetic live performances and unique sound that mixed gritty rock with more melodic and psychedelic elements.

Hardly, Not Even showcases the band’s ability to shift between high-energy rock songs and more introspective, atmospheric tracks, blending punk attitude with alternative and indie rock experimentation.

Hardly, Not Even continues Run Westy Run’s exploration of post-punk and alternative rock, blending distorted guitars, heavy bass lines, and dynamic drumming with introspective lyrics and a touch of psychedelic experimentation. The band’s sound retains a gritty, raw quality but also incorporates more melodic and layered arrangements than their earlier work.

Themes of alienation, personal reflection, and a sense of restlessness run throughout the album, creating a compelling mix of energetic rock anthems and more introspective, atmospheric tracks.

While Run Westy Run remained somewhat under the radar compared to other Minneapolis bands of the era, Hardly, Not Even helped solidify their status as cult favorites within the alternative rock scene. The album exemplifies the diversity of the Minneapolis music scene in the early 90s and captures the energy and creativity of the underground rock movement at the time.

For fans of 90s alternative rock and post-punk, Hardly, Not Even is a hidden gem that blends raw, punk energy with atmospheric, melodic experimentation. It stands as an important release in the band’s discography and a reflection of the Twin Cities’ rich music history.

Track Listing

1. Yolk Of The Dumbwish
2. Dog Planet
3. She Rose
4. Heck House
5. Z. Z.
6. King Of Zebra Pants
7. Iceland Queen
8. Skeltor
9. Bye Love
10. Pull Me Back In
11. Dark Town