Bob Mould:
Patch The Sky:
Merge Records:
LP/CD:
Out Now:
Mould's last album, 2014's pumped Beauty and Rain, scored the former Husker-Dü favourite his first UK chart album since The Last Dog and Pony Show. This trend may well continue with this his 12th solo set, which features nothing less than solid rousing guitar-drenched fuzz-pop aimed at the brain as well as those with a penchant for nodding their necks furiously.
In the face of adversity (the death of his parents, his own demons etc), Mould strikes up the (capable) band once again to proffer riff-rammed power-rockers such as poppy high-points Losing Sleep and You Say You, visceral ear-bleeders like Hold On and the Dinosaur Jr-like Pray For Rain and a darker slow-tempo anthem you will ever wish to meet, the sprawling closing epic Monument. There's even a hark back to the days of Sugar on the short, sweet and heady Hands Are Tied.
If anything, Bob is sounding younger and younger these days, his voice totally at odds with hitting his mid-'50s, a little further back in the mix than usual perhaps but nonetheless possessing that trademark drawl. He's also got a band of gold alongside him, delivering an intensive wall of sound that still ought to be a part of the airwaves more often.
On the strength of the energy and commitment on Patch The Sky, Bob Mould must surely have another five or six albums in him. If they're half as good as this, he should be proud of what is a fearsome, explosive and at times autobiographical catalogue and accompanying live shows.
★★★★★★★★★☆
Patch The Sky:
Merge Records:
LP/CD:
Out Now:
In the face of adversity (the death of his parents, his own demons etc), Mould strikes up the (capable) band once again to proffer riff-rammed power-rockers such as poppy high-points Losing Sleep and You Say You, visceral ear-bleeders like Hold On and the Dinosaur Jr-like Pray For Rain and a darker slow-tempo anthem you will ever wish to meet, the sprawling closing epic Monument. There's even a hark back to the days of Sugar on the short, sweet and heady Hands Are Tied.
If anything, Bob is sounding younger and younger these days, his voice totally at odds with hitting his mid-'50s, a little further back in the mix than usual perhaps but nonetheless possessing that trademark drawl. He's also got a band of gold alongside him, delivering an intensive wall of sound that still ought to be a part of the airwaves more often.
On the strength of the energy and commitment on Patch The Sky, Bob Mould must surely have another five or six albums in him. If they're half as good as this, he should be proud of what is a fearsome, explosive and at times autobiographical catalogue and accompanying live shows.
★★★★★★★★★☆