Bob Mould: 3 new al***s

Posted by: Bob Edwards on 12 June 2002

All--

If there are any other Husker Du/Bob Mould/Sugar fans out there who don't already know, Bob Mould has released 3 albums with a fourth, acoustic, album to follow in the fall.

Modulate represents Mould's first attempt at incorporating electronics and, as might be expected, is a bit uneven. Some of the songs that utilize electronics more (Semper Fi, Lost Zoloft, Quasar) work fairly well (IMO), while others (180 Rain, Sunset Safety Glass) are a bit of a stretch. There are also some songs that are more typical of what one would expect from Mould, like Sound on Sound, Come on Strong, and The Receipt. Contains some great moments, and is probably best summed up by a poster (Plazticman) on the Granary Music BBS who said "[B]ut no one can say it isn't creative, or explorative, which I think was the whole point." A fan of real electronica is unlikely to be impressed, a Mould fan will probably really like parts of it and dislike others.

The second release was a live album covering Mould's last tour with a band, as he toured in support of the Last Dog and Pony Show album, released in 1998. Good capture of what the performances were like.

The third album is called Long Playing Grooves and was released by Mould under the name of Loud Bomb. This is a straightforward electronica styled album, which is far more developed than Modulate in its use of electronics.

Finally, Mould will be releasing an acoustic album, called Body of Song, in the fall, apparently along the lines of Workbook.

Best Regards,

Bob
Posted on: 13 June 2002 by John L
I saw him live in April of this year. It was a strange concert, as all the backing instruments were pre-recorded. Bob Mould was on the stage solo playing his guitar, with a montage of pictures behind him. He played quite a bit from the new albums, I would have liked to see him live with a real band backing him. The show lacked the power a band would have brought to the music. The new albums were on sale at the show, but I could not bring myself to purchase any as I was disappointed with the concert. During one of the encores, there were many people talking and you could tell he was aggravated and wanted to walk off the stage. Hopefully, there will be a band on the next tour as I have heard he can put on a great show.

John Litwin
Posted on: 13 June 2002 by Michael Dale
Bob is supporting The Flaming Lips in the UK during July. The dates are posted on the Lips web site, www.flaminglips.com
Posted on: 14 June 2002 by Bob Edwards
Phil--

I can agree with you about Mould's post-Beaster work not ranking with Workbook, Copper Blue, or Beaster, although a lot of fans would argue that the Hubcap record is equal to or better than Workbook (an argument I do not agree with).

I do have to part company with you rating the Pixies and Sonic Youth above Husker Du, though. I don't think anything the Pixies or Sonic Youth did even approach the level of Zen Arcade, New Day Rising, Flip Your Wig, or Warehouse. Not even close, IMO. Of course, that's why chocolate AND vanilla exist.

Best,

Bo