Bob Mould: Classic or Dud?

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Sugar is bargain bin classic.

Be sure to Loop! Loop, Loop, Loop. (ex machina), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 12:00 (nineteen years ago) link

he sounds disturbingly like Dave Grohl

don't blame bob for that; he came first. although i always thought grohl was a bit closer to grant hart.

love love love husker du, although they started sliping on the last couple albums. i find sugar a tad bit less interesting than, say, jimmy eat world. not a huge waste of talent, just the usual steady decline.

fact checking cuz (fcc), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 13:26 (nineteen years ago) link

"See A Little Light" is faboo. Much of the rest of his solo output flies by me in a blur, tho there are songs here and there that stick out. I haven't paid attention to him since Sugar broke up (and even then I wasn't paying much attention to Sugar).

Shakey Mo Collier, Tuesday, 1 June 2004 17:55 (nineteen years ago) link

i just had this dilemma while going through and purging my cd collection. I've spared workbook and black sheets for the last six or seven purges (s/t and dog and pony were not so lucky; I'll keep the husker du albums I have; no-one will take copper blue away from me). I haven't made up my mind. I think what will probably save them is that I can't really sell them anywhere for anything over a dollar. Workbook is very dated productionwise, and like a lot of music of the same time (REM, specifically), I just have a hard time listening to it. It doesn't really bring back bad memories, but it seems like something that's steeped in a part of my life (college) that I'm just not interested in. Black Sheets's last track shreds though.

kyle (akmonday), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 18:04 (nineteen years ago) link

yeah, there's stuff on both of those albums that sound really cold and clunky, production-wise. And Anton Fier's drums sound like cardboard boxes.

Shakey Mo Collier, Tuesday, 1 June 2004 18:06 (nineteen years ago) link

his drums always sound like that. I don't really "get" anton fier.

kyle (akmonday), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 18:08 (nineteen years ago) link

Husker Du - dud
Sugar - dud
Bob solo - dud

He just seems so unimaginative, so lacking in spark. Sure, he had a good guitar sound. That doesn't give him license to make bog-standard indie fuzz songs for 20 years.

paulhw (paulhw), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 19:12 (nineteen years ago) link

Just listening to "Hoover Dam" for the first time in years; it sounds like Marillion! Not that there's anything wrong with that. Dick period anyway.

Keith Watson (kmw), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 21:02 (nineteen years ago) link

The moments in Bob Mould's solo career I think hold up to Husker Du and Sugar: "See A Little Light," "Whichever Way The Wind Blows," "Black Sheets Of Rain," "Anymore Time Between," "Next Time That You Leave," "Egoverride," "Hair Stew," "Roll Over And Die," "Trade."

Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 21:55 (nineteen years ago) link

oh, and "New #1."

Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 21:55 (nineteen years ago) link

plus "It's Too Late"

Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 1 June 2004 21:56 (nineteen years ago) link

As for Mould's solo output, his track on the 'No Alternative' compilation from the early nineties is exceptional. Can't remember the name of the song.

Miss Lonelyhearts (Jaromil), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 02:17 (nineteen years ago) link

It's called 'Can't Fight It'. Funny you should mention that, I hadn't heard it for years until this morning when they played it on the radio.

wombatX (wombatX), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 02:58 (nineteen years ago) link

I listened to an old tape of stuff from 1996 and 'Egoveride' was on it! I really like the way the guitar is so trebly as to stand on the precipice of pain.

DJ Mencap (DJ Mencap), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 08:28 (nineteen years ago) link

'anymore time between' and 'can't fight it' are astonishingly good.

stevie (stevie), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 08:46 (nineteen years ago) link

oh shit, I forgot about "Can't Fight It." That song is terrific!

Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 2 June 2004 14:38 (nineteen years ago) link

two years pass...
My favorite Mould is Live Dog 98 : The Forum London Uk, he just kills on guitar.

Jim Reckling (Jim Reckling), Saturday, 3 February 2007 03:27 (seventeen years ago) link

Conspicuously absent from this thread is "Dog On Fire," his rousing theme music for The Daily Show.

The Redd And The Blecch (Ken L), Sunday, 4 February 2007 01:40 (seventeen years ago) link

I remember liking the original version better, before it was rerecorded by They Might Be Giants. I'm so used to the current TMBG version now though that I'd have to dig out an old tape of the show to hear what was different. I think it was slower?

Marmot (marmotwolof), Sunday, 4 February 2007 02:09 (seventeen years ago) link

Husker Du: Q. Good, but the initial freshness of their sound has been diluted by imitation.

Sugar: Q. good.

Solo: Hard work.

Phil Knight (PhilK), Sunday, 4 February 2007 19:07 (seventeen years ago) link

Is it heretical to prefer Sugar to Husker Du? Well, too bad, cuz I think so.

Mould solo: meh. Some of the Richard Thompson-esque tunes on Workbook like "Brasilia Crossed With Trenton" are top-notch.

Alfred, Lord Sotosyn (Alfred Soto), Sunday, 4 February 2007 19:48 (seventeen years ago) link

four months pass...

http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Museum/7147/bobby.html

(via Bob's blog)

Dr Morbius, Tuesday, 12 June 2007 17:23 (sixteen years ago) link

No mention of the last album? My take:

http://www.citypages.com/databank/26/1295/article13721.asp

Mould is performing for free in Minneapolis June 22, at the Bryant-Lake Bowl, and is on the Henry Rollins show this Friday...

Pete Scholtes, Wednesday, 13 June 2007 01:31 (sixteen years ago) link

I came upon Husker Du pretty late, but for a band that was so universally praised from so many different corners, I wasn't all that impressed. I recently stumbled upon a blog maintained by Ben Weasel (of Screeching Weasel fame) and a post where he talks about breaking out the old Husker Du canon and being mostly unimpressed compared to how amazing it sounded back in the day. I'll submit him as my expert witness.

I hear theres a regularly thrown party in the DC area, specifically catered to over 30's gay men that he DJs at (shirtless) and I think this is very good.

DustinR, Wednesday, 13 June 2007 11:30 (sixteen years ago) link

the first six friends on his myspace page all look very Bob-like, its eerie... i'm a huge fan, and interviewed him a couple of years ago, and he was much fun. i listen to his solo stuff and sugar so rarely nowadays, and mostly if i'm feeling especially blue, and i'm not as convinced that he was a better songwriter than grant as i was when i was younger (not that it matters), but i always enjoy it.

if i were to listen to 'can't fight it' right now, i would be a mess.

stevie, Wednesday, 13 June 2007 13:41 (sixteen years ago) link

the bobby hill=bob mould page is very funny.

stevie, Wednesday, 13 June 2007 13:48 (sixteen years ago) link

hahahahaha:

"I have noted down the people who are saying they like it and will be paying less attention to their opinions in future: sorry and all, you're lovely people but it's that mediocre."

scott seward, Wednesday, 13 June 2007 14:05 (sixteen years ago) link

Quite possibly my favorite Bob.

Pleasant Plains, Wednesday, 13 June 2007 17:10 (sixteen years ago) link

His "Blowoff" dj setlists look pretty predictable to me

curmudgeon, Wednesday, 13 June 2007 21:41 (sixteen years ago) link

six months pass...

Bob's got another rock cd coming out with Brendan Canty on drums, on the Anti label in February

http://www.spinner.com/2007/12/04/bob-mould-returns-with-district-line-exclusive-mp3/

curmudgeon, Thursday, 27 December 2007 03:12 (sixteen years ago) link

Anti has been capturing a lot of veterans on their second wind. That'd be cool if it happened again.

bendy, Thursday, 27 December 2007 03:28 (sixteen years ago) link

Yes it would. I didn't like Mould's electronic stuff, but the last rock album he did had at least one great song (New No. 1), so I'm hopeful.

Daniel, Esq., Thursday, 27 December 2007 03:32 (sixteen years ago) link

one month passes...

New one hailed as a "return to form"

baaderonixx, Wednesday, 6 February 2008 10:56 (sixteen years ago) link

which form?

da croupier, Wednesday, 6 February 2008 14:27 (sixteen years ago) link

rooock n' roll!

baaderonixx, Wednesday, 6 February 2008 14:32 (sixteen years ago) link

three weeks pass...

Saw DISTRICT LINE in HMV and felt sorry -but also proud- for it,
Had a place of its own on the 'new release' shelf. Despite it being late in the day it was clear to me that the staff had either been restacking to keep it neat after the rush, or no fker had bought it. I feared the latter and purchased to make a dent.

It's not bad. But not great, although I sense a grower.

Please kids - listen to 'Who Needs dreams' and enjoy . Had it on a loop. Grandad.

Fer Ark, Thursday, 28 February 2008 23:01 (sixteen years ago) link

five months pass...

I cannot stop listening to "Believe What You're Saying"

rogermexico., Thursday, 21 August 2008 04:28 (fifteen years ago) link

four weeks pass...

http://modulate.blogspot.com/2008/09/press-release-from-little-brown.html


BOB MOULD TO PUBLISH AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Michael Pietsch, Publisher of Little, Brown and Company, announced this week that Bob Mould will be writing his autobiography in collaboration with Michael Azerrad, author of the bestselling Our Band Could Be Your Life and Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana.

The memoir will, for the first time ever, delve deeply into Mould's life as a musician and his experiences with Hüsker Dü, as a solo artist, and in his most commercially viable and successful work as leader of the 90s indie rock kingpins Sugar. He will also tell the story of his other lives, including his internal struggle with his sexuality, the coming-out process, and his subsequent embrace of, and service to, the LGBT community; his work as a creative consultant / director in the world of pro wrestling; his work as a record producer, including seminal projects by Soul Asylum and Magnapop; and his foray into electronic / dance music, including the popular BLOWOFF club events held nationwide.

Bob Mould said, "For many years, people have asked if and when I would write my autobiography. I have always looked forward to this point in time, where I could tell my stories, to answer the many questions about the music and the lifestyle, and how they inform the creative process. I have not been alone on this ride: friends and foes, mentors and associates, peers, lovers, all traveling by my side. The ride so far has been incredible, and I hope to do my memory right in documenting the journey."

It is expected to be published in autumn 2010.

Pfunkboy Formerly Known As... (Herman G. Neuname), Thursday, 18 September 2008 17:43 (fifteen years ago) link

I've ordered this already!

Autumn 2010? FFS

30th anniversary world tour with original members, all reading excepts to promote Bob's book- in between the hits. Surely?

Do you think Grant will get a chapter?

I hope they all write a fucking book, even if Greg's is a list of recipes

Fer Ark, Thursday, 18 September 2008 18:22 (fifteen years ago) link

Excerpts.

Sorry journoes/English teachers etc

Fer Ark, Thursday, 18 September 2008 18:23 (fifteen years ago) link

I'll be buying it for sure

Pfunkboy Formerly Known As... (Herman G. Neuname), Thursday, 18 September 2008 18:52 (fifteen years ago) link

wrestling and gay stuff could be intriguing...

Dr Morbius, Wednesday, 24 September 2008 19:24 (fifteen years ago) link

I just heard "See A Little Light" in a TV ad for...something. Fuck. Can't remember what it was, but it sure was inconfuckinggruous.

Sara Sara Sara, Wednesday, 24 September 2008 19:27 (fifteen years ago) link

^^ TIAA-CREF iirc

rogermexico., Thursday, 25 September 2008 01:13 (fifteen years ago) link

two months pass...

Update: I cannot stop listening to "Circles"

butt-rock miyagi (rogermexico.), Wednesday, 24 December 2008 10:06 (fifteen years ago) link

epic 9-minute live take...

butt-rock miyagi (rogermexico.), Wednesday, 24 December 2008 10:07 (fifteen years ago) link

nine months pass...

Mr. iTunes keeps shuffling Zen Arcade and the Zen Arcade rough mixes in with a bunch of 00s metal, and I'm getting a refresher on how astonishing Mould's playing was at that point. But then Spot's digital effects rack and Bob's "I'm a serious songwriter now" attitude came into the picture. He's been loud since then, but did he ever really shred again? "Plans I Make" is the only one I can think of.

bendy, Wednesday, 14 October 2009 17:54 (fourteen years ago) link

"Plans I Make" is a total rampage.

Bill Magill, Wednesday, 14 October 2009 18:14 (fourteen years ago) link

Yeah. About as heavy as you can get.

kornrulez6969, Wednesday, 14 October 2009 18:39 (fourteen years ago) link

Funny, I just spun "Bob Mould" and "The Last Dog And Pony Show" for the first time in years. Both have strong moments and Bob-by-the-numbers moments as well. I much prefer the two pre-Sugar solo albums and haven't bothered with his 21st century output.

Gerald McBoing-Boing, Wednesday, 14 October 2009 22:15 (fourteen years ago) link

A friend and bandmate of worked sound at some pretty high-end venues in the 90s, and said that Sugar was the absolute loudest act he ever supported. Like, louder than Metallica Slipknot, Gwar; indeed louder than any metal act then in existence.

Personally I have no idea why a song like "If I Can't Change Your Mind" or "See a Little Light" or "Important Years" needs to be the loudest sound in the universe. But evidently it is part of the Mould shtick. Always has been.

Nutellanor Roosevelt (Ye Mad Puffin), Saturday, 9 July 2022 02:37 (one year ago) link

can anyone explain what is the musical reason that every time I hear “JC Auto” there is a specific point where it sort of morphs into “Poison Years” (mostly the chorus, from BSOR) every time i hear it? Both songs reference Jesus H Christ but aside from that i can’t quite figure it out!

I don’t have an answer for this, but it does remind me that the start of “Deep Karma Canyon” on the s/t solo album nicks the verse riff from Saccharine Trust’s “A Human Certainty” so he’s probably not beyond recycling musical motifs here and there.

wronger than 100 geir posts (MacDara), Saturday, 9 July 2022 11:45 (one year ago) link

and said that Sugar was the absolute loudest act he ever supported.

I remember reading a Musician magazine rundown of Mould’s amp rig around that time, and it said that his stage volume — just his guitar, without bass or drums — was 128dB.

For comparison, the first Guinness record holder for Loudest Pop Group was the Who at 120dB.

Montgomery Burns' Jazz (Tarfumes The Escape Goat), Saturday, 9 July 2022 12:58 (one year ago) link

I love Copper Blue more than any HD album. So there's that.

Malevolent Arugula (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 9 July 2022 13:11 (one year ago) link

"Copper Blue" still sounds impeccable. Produced with Lou Giordano, who I believe was HD's longtime sound guy.

Josh in Chicago, Saturday, 9 July 2022 13:16 (one year ago) link

Oh, and MBV at its loudest usually hovers around 120dB, and has reportedly reached close to 130 at its absolute noise zenith, so it seems unlikely Mould comes close to that. Mould is loud, but it's not disorientingly loud like MBV (and a few others, like Mogwai, High on Fire, etc.)

Josh in Chicago, Saturday, 9 July 2022 13:21 (one year ago) link

this is from the FU:EL tour and sounds pretty good to me

(it was also the bonus disc on certain pressings of the 'besides' comp)

mookieproof, Saturday, 9 July 2022 14:15 (one year ago) link

nine months pass...

(actually saturday)

Bob Mould got married today. 💕 Congrats Bob and Don. pic.twitter.com/3x8fH1qepR

— Roni (@roni1133) May 7, 2023

mookieproof, Monday, 8 May 2023 00:04 (eleven months ago) link

You will lose your mind
When Bob Moulds are two of a kind

Halfway there but for you, Monday, 8 May 2023 21:27 (eleven months ago) link


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