BOB MOULD - Patch The Sky

Artist:  Bob Mould

Album: Patch The Sky

Year:  2016

Genre:  Modern Rock

Well, it’s finally happened.  I officially like more of Bob Mould’s post-Husker Du work than I like when he was in that seminal band that helped establish hardcore punk AND modern rock.  How can that be, right?  The score so far is 6 to 5 with the Huskers down by one.  The winning number of 6 includes his last three solo efforts and the two full-lengths and one EP by Sugar.  On the other side are Husker classics, Metal Circus, Flip Your Wig, New Day Rising, Candy Apple Grey and Warehouse Songs And Stories.  The answer to your burning query is….no, I don’t like Zen Arcade.  This narrow margin is almost guaranteed to expand if he continues with the stellar quality and expeditious pace he has set for himself the past 4 years.

Just like with Husker Du, there is a decent quantity of Mr. Mould’s material I can live without.  It was a hit and miss affair I’ve had with his solo material since the Workbook record in 1989.  I’ve always felt as if a solid compilation tape could be made from all the releases under his name.  These albums were a mishmash of emotion and experimentation which saw him fall away from his strongest talent; writing music directly related to his personal discontent and frustration.  And, making it LOUD.  I hate to besmirch his work since the man is legendary.  A true trailblazer.  He is immensely talented, innovative and unique, but my ears like what they like and nothing he released that was solo-related truly resonated with me to the point I felt multiple listens were warranted.

That was all true until 2012 and he unleashed the album Silver Age.  Mould took a full-on dive into his younger years where he knew simplicity and zeal had more to do with songwriting than artistry and presentation.  It’s the raw and powerful album I always hoped his other solo jaunts would be.  He took pages out of his own playbook by writing songs in line with latter era Husker Du and the close-to-bulletproof Sugar debut, Copper Blue.  Once again he was applying loads of distortion, a mitigated fury, his signature vocal delivery and melodies saturated with vivid intent.  His next release, Beauty And Rain, was more of the same. He’s found home again and appears to be comfortable in his familiar dwelling. 

This brings us to his third release in under 4 years, Patch The Sky.  With all the impressive material he’s released pre ‘n post Husker Du, “Why are you talking about his latest record?” you might ask. Simply put, Patch The Sky is the best solo record he has ever released and just may be a contender to duke it out for the top spot in his body of work against Copper Blue.  This record is on point with every song and sways seamlessly from moody dream pop to aggressive modern rock without sounding contrived or stale.  Mould’s soul is in these songs and it makes all the difference.  Music is nothing without heart and he’s got loads of it.  He has been unstoppable for 3 straight records.  Some might argue more.   This I can say with complete certainty, the next release by Bob Mould is at the top of my “must buy” list when it comes out.  Given the recent track record, I won’t be waiting long.

Check out "Black Confetti" here.