My exposure to Bob Mould dates back about 13 years, when the guy I was dating at the time (now my husband) would make me sit and listen to Sugar’s File Under: Easy Listening. Yes, I was also dragged to live shows, at least two of which were at the Fillmore in San Francisco, before Mould made his way up north to our hometown, Sacramento, a few years ago to play at Harlow’s.
Somewhere along the way, what I used to think was nothing but noise became music I appreciated. Not rabidly, like some, but appreciated nonetheless. I even have “See a Little Light” (Poison Years); “First Drag of the Day” and “Skintrade” (The Last Dog and Pony Show); “Man on the Moon” (LiveDog98); “Circles,” “(Shine Your) Light Love Hope,” and “High Fidelity” (Body of Song); and “If I Can’t Change Your Mind” (Sugar — Copper Blue) on my iPod.
In short, I know a little Mould.
Some say Mould pioneered punk with his 80s band Husker Du, and others credit indie rock to Mould’s band Sugar. But what I like about Mould is that, at the age of 47, he’s producing music that appeals to several different musical tastes—from hard rock, to techno/dance, to adult alternative, to stream of consciousness/spoken word, Mould manages to humbly appeal to many.
Other than the last cut, “Walls of Time”, a song that didn’t make 1989’s Workbook, District Line is new, fresh and full of attitude. Mould describes it as "stories of my simple life in a complicated town", referring to Washington, D.C., where he lives. "This record really sums up the past five years of being here. These are funny stories about me and my friends – things I see or overhear. It's been a very positive experience and District Line is my way of putting it down in a book."
Article comments
1 - Andrew
Found a leaked copy. Non-stop listening for a week. I'd have waited since 1989 to hear "walls in time" for sure.
This is up there with anything he's ever done.
2 - Tom Johnson
Bob linked to your review - congrats!