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Review of CD - "Body of Work" - Bob Mould - by Peter Gernert Dott

I heard the mould song on Friday night...Driving home from work, the DJ mumbles...'and he's a new one from bob mould'...I thought I was hearing things...then Paralyzed comes on and it's a solid tune...mostly guitars but I clearly heard some weird synth in the background especially toward the end. I'm not sure he's completely lost the casio yet. The last CD had a few guitar-based songs so I don't think we're out of the woods yet. I'm gonna give this one a close listen at the local Borders when it comes out (Aug 5th?) before laying down cash...he owes me big for last time. Keeping all fingers crossed for this one. What a treat it would be!

A couple of weeks later:

On the way home from the grocery, I stopped to pick up Bob Mould's new album, Body of Work. Welcome back, Bob! The first thing I noticed was the live drums throughout...what a big difference energy-wise! His guitar is back as well...crunching and out front but not as overwhelming and noisy as it has been in the past. He hasn't totally let go of the techno thing (in song 2 he uses a vocorder and a heavy dance beat)...but with the live drums, guitar, and some catchy chord changes, this is nothing like the crap offered on his last album. I've listened to this album three times already (twice while cleaning out my car...sort of a pre-sausage-fest aerobic activity) and it is really appealing. Dave Barbe from the Sugar days makes a welcome comeback on bass on two solid tunes (produced by Barbe as well) and there are a few other guests to mix things up. The songs themselves are much less dark than on the hubcap and Last Dog and Pony CDs. Many nice pop hooks...nothing to match the 'singles' from the Sugar days...but still many good songs...actually the last half of the album is excellent. Several very nice melodic slow tunes and a number of solid crankers...the single 'Paralyzed' is representative but clearly not the best song on the CD.

If my heart doesn't give out, I think I'll be listening to this one for a while. A welcome surprise when all seemed lost.

PGD