Bob Mould âSilver Ageâ (Edsel/Demon)
CD/LP/DL
Available now
With career highlights that include, though not restricted to being the founding member of not one but two bands that were genre defining; Husker Du and Sugar – it must be a daunting challenge for Bob Mould to know quite where to position himself; thankfully âSilver Ageâ does not find him in reflective mood…
With âSilver Ageâ â get this, his 10th solo album – Mould has successfully created an intense sonic blast that is easily traced back to Husker Duâs later output, he says himself âIâd been battling around the idea of another aggressive pop record for some timeâ but also draws on the pop sensibilities of Sugar.
Album opener âStar Machineâ features the characteristic vocals, the quiet-loud abrasive guitar that provided both Pixies and Nirvana with careers. âSilver Ageâ continues in the same vein, solid shards of guitar as Mould informs that “I’m never too old to contain my rage,” over an effervescent fuzzy riff, whilst the first single âThe Descentâ contrary to its title reaches anthemicly upward, layers of guitar, choruses and riddled with infectious hooks. Mould gets autobiographical during âBriefest Momentâ as he reminds us âI was a small-town kid with no possessions / and I was bored beyond beliefâ over a deceptively simple and instant guitar.
For âSteam Of Herculesâ as befits such a title, Mould swaps buzzing energy for musical expanse, reducing the pace but broadening your horizons as he pulls in huge drums, crashing symbols lifted direct from Husker Du.
âSilver Ageâ sees Mould re-visit his past, though donât be fooled into presuming this album is any less relevant for that; Mould understands his craft and âSilver Ageâ is a vital demonstration of that.
Track list:
1. Star MAchine
2. Silver age
3. The Descent
4. Briefest Moment
5. Steam Of Hercules
6. Fugue State
7. Round The City Square
8. Angels Rearrange
9. Keep Believing
10. First Time Joy
