![](http://web.archive.org./web/20170720004741im_/http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nVrf9YP2-s4/SGk8Uyt50cI/AAAAAAAAAyo/ZTVMxqiGtws/s400/cover.jpg)
Though less sprawlingly ambitious than prior album Zen Arcade, New Day Rising, in some ways, abandoned hardcore punk entirely, and helped set the template for alternative rock for the next decade. While retaining the speed and aggression of earlier efforts, virtually all of the songs on New Day Rising exhibit a strong pop sensibility. Guitarist/main singer Bob Mould's trademark miasma of fuzz distortion is still present, but with much of the harsh rawness of previous efforts abandoned in favor of a more melodic sound.
(Additional Text: Wikipedia)