After dissolving his second power trio, Sugar, Bob Mould wrote and recorded BOB MOULD (a self-titled release sometimes referred to as HUBCAB, due to its cover art). The credits even proclaim "Bob Mould is Bob Mould," and "This one is for me." The fact that the album was written and performed by one man, however, does not mean that this is a low-fi aberration--rather, it's a sonically dense but extremely controlled excursion, and the next logical step in his career.
Standouts include the brittle "I Hate Alternative Rock," "Egoveride," a crunching rocker featuring a wicked overdriven guitar sound, and an astonishingly bitter series of end-of-the-relationship songs. Among them are "Anymore Time Between," easily one of Mould's most painful moments, "Next Time That You Leave," a poignant, mostly restrained (except for the seething choruses) affair, and the intensely angry "Hair Stew," where the self-loathing lyrics are colored with searing feedback squelches. With its downer lyrics, BOB MOULD is not an easy record to like; however if everyone's cathartic release was to record albums this good, the world would be a much better place.
Eff.9/2/2 From 16.98 To 11.98
Recorded at Cedar Creek Recording, Congress House and Granary 5, Austin, Texas in September and October 1995.
Solo performer: Bob Mould (vocals, various instruments).
Recording information: Cedar Creek recording, Austin, TX (09/1995-10/1995); Congress House Studio, Austin, TX (09/1995-10/1995); Granary 5, Austin, TX (09/1995-10/1995).
Photographer: Mark C.Spin (6/96, p.115) - 6 - Reasonably Good - "...dominated by declarations of independence....may reaffirm your faith in rock as a vehicle for anguish..."
Entertainment Weekly (5/3/96, pp.74-76) - "...Mould is often given to feelings of defeatism, anger, and self-pity. But what distinguishes BOB MOULD, his strongest album in years...is that the music constantly wards off those self-destructive feelings..." - Rating: A-
Option (7-8/96, p.120) - "...as vengefully inspired as ever..."
Musician (6/96, p.94) - "...Never the cheeriest of souls, the punk rock vet bursts out in all directions here, and the result is an unnerving psychodrama..."
RIP (6/96, p.11) - 5 (out of 5) - "...With its bracing mix of multi-layered buzzsaw anthems and sparsely arranged one-man-and-his-guitar tracks, this masterful album presents, as never before, Mould's stunning range..."
Mojo (Publisher) (6/96, p.117) - "...The sound is typical Mould: either stern, grey sheets of distorted guitar chording embellished with the occasional stab of feedback, or the furiously spartan acoustic guitar strumming, as in 'Thumbtack'..."
NME (Magazine) (4/27/96, p.55) - 8 (out of 10) - "...Mould has spent 15 years making miserabilism listenable, draping the spangly cloak of pop about melancholy's sloping shoulders....Mould is most assuredly having his cake while still enjoying a slice..."
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