Bob Mould, 'Bob Mould'

Nearly a decade on from Husker Du’s split and it might be fair to suggest that Bob Mould hadn’t entirely gotten over it. Sure, this return to his solo work might have come after the sweet power pop tunes he made with Sugar but we need to look at that band’s oeuvre more carefully. Although ‘Copper Blue’ and ‘File Under Easy Listening’ appeared to be happy go lucky songs about trying to win back loved ones (‘If I Can’t Change Your Mind’, ‘Can’t Believe What You’re Saying”) or being in love (‘My Favorite Thing’ ‘Helpless’) it’s Sugar’s mini-album ‘Beaster’ that provided the most reliable indication of Mould’s state of mind. Its six tracks chronicled the life of Jesus but Mould was on fiery form as ever by spitting out lyrics such as “I became the ugly face”. Son of God or simply autobiographical? You decide…

Or maybe let Mould make up your mind. The first words on his self-titled third solo album are, “sick of myself, sick of everything I am” and the last are “if I couldn’t hold you I’d end it all”. Throw into the mix song titles called ‘Roll Over And Die’ (from whence that last lyric originates), ‘Next Time That You Leave’ and ‘I Hate Alternative Rock’ and those colors you’re looking at are being nailed to the mast.

And yet despite purporting to be darker than Florida without electricity, this album crackles with (possibly unintended) energy. Allegedly all the tracks were recorded in one take and Mould plays every instrument you’ll hear. He produced it too so no wonder ‘Egoverride’ is one of the standout efforts on show. Its full of the requisite bile but at least he takes no prisoners – you’re as likely to hear his scorn directed at himself in addition to former lovers and band mates. The fascination with electronica doesn’t work on every level but ‘Fort Knox, King Solomon’, ‘Thumbtack’ and ‘Deep Karma Canyon’ can also be added to any Mould highlights reel you’re brave enough to make.