Comments on: Bob Mould :: Workbook

By: Mookie

Mookie — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 02:42:10 +0000

“See A Little Light” was good for this album, as it was suppose to be a “top 40″ airplay song. This gets it on the airwaves, and gets people to buy the album, so Bob can go to the grocery store…

By: Satisfied '75

Satisfied '75 — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 01:59:05 +0000

Yeah, “See A Little Light” always seemed like the outlier that would have fit in on Copper Blue later.

By: Arthur2sheds

Arthur2sheds — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 01:57:40 +0000

I turned my back on Mould after the self-titled CD in the mid-90s (the one with “I Hate Alternative Rock”I believe), but I really love this record. “See a Little Light” was always a favourite, even though it doesn’t really fit in with the overall tone of the album.

By: SundayNoise

SundayNoise — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 10:25:38 +0000

Along with Scott, this is an all-time favorite of mine and one of those records that can take me back to a VERY specific time and place. Although it’s been 20 years, the shit that girl put me through in high school came flying back with “Heartbreak A Stranger”. I thought, at 15 years old, I “got” this record…I had no clue. Thanks for the post – I’ve listened to pretty much nothing but Husker/Sugar/Mould-solo since reading this and have thoroughly enjoyed rediscovering the brilliance of Bob Mould.

By: scott

scott — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 02:00:29 +0000

One of my favorite albums. One of my favorite artists.

Thanks for the good writing, as always.

By: Dave in CO

Dave in CO — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:32:11 +0000

Man– when the electric guitar comes in on Wishing Well. Always kills me.

I forgot how much I used to listen to his album. Album is the correct word.

By: Dropnamer

Dropnamer — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:44:19 +0000

I saw Huskers in 1987 at the Nectorine Ballroom in Ann Arbor with a good friend of mine. I didn’t have a chance to see Bob Mould when he was touring to promote Workbook in 1989 but that same friend did. To quote my friend (John-John, I hope you’re reading this)”he would finish a set of songs from the new album without looking up from his acoustic guitar After the crowd gave a standing ovation, he smiled in relief, almost as if he excercised a demon”. I would image that the so-called hardcore Husker fan would have thrown the CD out the window after hearing “Sunspots”. They don’t get it. It was time to move on.

By: HüDü VüDü

HüDü VüDü — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:22:22 +0000

Workbook/Black Sheets of Rain:
Mould was in top form on both of these. Workbook was uniquely introspective.
I think the backstory is there in the music. Singing about eating peanut butter sandwiches and crying, the embarrassment of living in small town America (“Brasilia crossed with Trenton”), and then there’s “Poison Years”. The mirage of “See a Little Light”. I recall him stating he was done with music after Husker Du breakup, so it was a slight shock when Workbook dropped. Workbook was a huge step towards Bob’s musical independence, with BSOR casting aside any lingering doubts about Bob’s stature.

By: kb

kb — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:13:27 +0000

Thank you for this. A totally forgotten gem from the past. Listening to “Heartbreak a Stranger” takes me back instantly – like stepping into a time machine set to 1989. A friend that time forgot for sure.

By: Blochead

Blochead — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:04:33 +0000

I really loved this album. I adored Black Sheets of Rain even more. BSOR has this slab of sludge and anger guitar that I haven’t heard Mould use before or since.

By: T.O.Snob

T.O.Snob — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:57:58 +0000

This album may have been the pinnacle for Mould. Thanks for bringing it back to mind. I’m going to pop it in now.