•
Rating:
In the midst of the grunge era comes the second solo work by Bob Mould. The singer-guitarist from Minneapolis, after an unconvincing and all in all uninspired debut with "Workbook" and its folk-alternative rock, decides to reconnect with rock. But the past never returns as it was, and indeed once again, there are few pieces that hark back to the glorious adventure of Husker Du.
In the end, however, this is nothing but a good sign, as Bob prefers to give us five rock songs based on great melodies over repetitive riff patterns rather than repeating standards (in keeping with the rule that sequels never match the quality and success of originals). The best is "Stand Guard", the most catchy is "It's Too Late", almost disarming, considering it was composed by someone who, until recently, would instantly self-combust every time he strapped on a guitar. The others are the heartfelt "Stop Your Crying", the fast "Out Of Your Life", and the spectacular "Hear Me Calling", all offbeat with beautiful choral vocals.
More traditional are the punk song "Disappointed" and the violent caustic finale of "Sacrifice - Let There Be Peace". In between, a folk episode in the pleasant yet too traditional ballad titled "The Last Night", and two mid-tempo rock tracks, "Hanging Tree" but especially "One Good Reason", which seems to come straight from the less commercial wing of the Seattle Sound, with Screaming Trees leading the way. One wonders, indeed racks one's brain, to enumerate one by one the bands that have drawn — or borrowed extensively — from the taste of Husker Du (not just Bob). Emblematic, in this regard, is the opening title track, reminiscent of the famous "Crush With Eyeliner" by those quirky R.E.M. from the "Monster" period, with the addition of a special of thumping guitars and screams that in forty seconds explains half the discography of Nirvana.
A work that is worthwhile, beyond the resonances with the emerging bands of the time, for the melody and the brightness of five gems of rock songs and on the remaining tracks, perhaps less inspired, but on which one can perceive the overall solidity of Bob Mould's compositional structure, as well as his indisputable capabilities as an arranger and performer.
Tracklist Lyrics and Samples
03 It's Too Late (04:03)
Lately I've been thinking
And how the whole world's come undone
Everybody's got this sinking feeling
Feeling they're on the run
But I know a place where time stands still
I can picture it in my mind
But I'm not sure if we can get there
(There is no reason reasons rhyme
Why can't you see we're almost out of time)
It's too late it's too late it's too late
To cover what you've done
It's too late it's too late it's too late
To call for anyone at all
Well I guess I should be so brave to think that I'm the only one who knows
It's too late it's too late it's too late
To cover what you've done
Oh no we need a change (This world's stranger now)
Now is not the time to run away (There must be a way)
A way that we could listen to the warning signs so pay attention
This is my intention to prevent this fate before it gets too late
And as the hands of the clock go round and round
And the world keeps marching on
Can you afford to let it fall now?
(The fish in all the streams are dying
Fluorocarbons fill the sky
And I don't really want to die before my time has come)
It's too late it's too late it's too late
To cover what you've done
It's too late it's too late it's too late
To call for anyone at all
Well I guess I should be so brave to think that I'm the only one who knows
It's too late it's too late it's too late it's too late
Now now
It's too late
(Lately I've been thinking
Haven't had that sinking feeling now)
10 Disappointed (04:10)
Well I'm sorry you're disappointed
But times they change and so did I
Standing still and getting nowhere quicker
Well it seems I didn't have to try
But now I've found a reason to move on
And you won't miss me much now that I'm gone
You don't seem disappointed
The three years I went to college
Didn't make much of a difference to me
Made me feel so safe I didn't have to think
About the things I really wanna be
So don't get caught up in that trap
They'll make you feel like you've been trapped
Into owing them your gratitude
And all the other platitudes
That make you feel important when you go
But now I've found a reason to move on
And you won't miss me much now that I'm gone
You don't seem disappointed
'Cause when you're gone, somebody else will come along and take your place
It doesn't make me feel any less a member of the human race
This ain't no race
Well I'm sorry you're disappointed
But I don't feel that way today
I am free from all the crazy games you played
I am free from all the things you say
And I don't mean to make a mockery of the things
you thought I'd say when I left, but I'm not disappointed
And if I felt the urge to say you're wrong
Well, I just hold the words inside and laugh
And you'd be disappointed
So disappointed
So disappointed
Loading comments slowly
