Going Full Circle
Whether you are already aware of him or not, Bob Mould deserves to be a household name to all music lovers if only for the radical steps he has taken and the effect his music has had. Emerging out of the late 80s punk rock scene that found such acclaim on America’s college radio, Mould was a member of Husker Du, a band said to be the influence behind the Pixies, as well as being a member of the infectiously energetic and emotionally charged Sugar. For many these two bands triggered the onslaught of grunge but Mould being the bizarre character he is, choose this time to break from music altogether. Always one to buck the turned Mould returned with a somewhat interesting array of dance music which failed to ignite the fans but with 'District Line' it seems he is back where he belongs, creating alternative rock that bristles with energy and a soothing melody.
Taking its name from the perimeter around his home of Washington D.C, ‘District Line’ unmasks a stealth style of attack as ‘Stupid Me’ gently lulls, suggesting the track will happily follow a melodic path before a guitar packed chorus bursts through and goes straight for the jugular as Mould manages to jostle you about brilliantly. Brimming with feel good vitality, ‘Stupid Me’ is Mould back doing what he does best, making for an explosively engaging opener. From this ‘District Line’ opens the flood gates for a master class in alt-rock as the vibrant ‘Who Needs A Dream?’ bristles with the sweet pop sentiment of Sugar, ‘Old Highs New Lows’ tugs at every emotion as a spine tingling honest ballad unfolds before ‘Return To Dust’ leaps in with a youthful energy and carefree attitude to invigorate all.
But Mould still likes to mix things up in order to keep us on our toes and in order to slam the brakes on ‘District Line’ becoming an entirely alt-rock album he sneaks in some touches of folk on the passion driven ‘Again And Again’ whereas ‘Miniature Parade’ manages to marry Mould’s love of rock and dance effortlessly. Of course Mould’s adoration of dance can not be ignored, for years it was the only form of music he was involved in and needless to say it still manages to get a starring role on the album as he proves he isn’t ready to quit his part as a dance floor diva just yet with ‘Shelter Me’ picking up where Cher’s ‘Believe’ left off by showering everything in electronica. Definitely one catered for certain tastes.
Seen by many as a legend and gaining an ever growing cult following, Mould is a man who has had a ripple effect on music and with ‘District Line’ he has gone full circle. But far from being an album by a man trying to recapture his youth, ‘District Line’ finds Mould content, happy to draw from all his musical lives and brilliantly pulling them together almost faultlessly. From rock to the dance floor and back again, Mould will take you on a ride that will doubtlessly have a lasting effect.