...is just okay. Some of the songs are awful due to vocal effects stolen from Cher and a few musical ideas that sound like they were left over from Modulate. Brendan Canty, although one of my favorite drummers, doesn't add a great deal to the album. The second half of the album is 11.6x better than the first half.

Natural Mike Rating:
6.2/10

Hmm...

what is it called?

I haven't really liked one since Workbook, although Sheets was okay.

Its called Body of Song.

I was pleasantly surprised at first listen. I haven't really liked any album he's done since black sheets of rain and hated modulate, but think this could be his best since Black Sheets of Rain. Obviously, its a bit early for me to express any strong opinions based on only one listen but I hear potential in this one.

If it's like Black Sheets, I'm gonna like it.

Bought this. That is all.

and?...and?...

Was actually just reading a few reviews. Sounds like the first song is solid, then the next uses that vocoder thingy, then the CD gets back on track. Need to hear it...

cher was the first person to use the vocoder?

really?

and it was her artistic vision to use it and not her producer?

interesting

being a smart-ass aside, i really like the new bob mould album. i though/think it was too bad that modulate has to be viewed through his past work and not as its own album

I think Body of Song is quite excellent and it really doesn't sound much like anything else he's done. But I also think his post-Sugar solo albums are way, way more enjoyable to listen to than Black Sheets and Workbook (because they DO sound like Sugar.) And I'll be, apparently, the first to admit that I actually like the vocoder usage on those songs. And I'm typically a hater. I really don't mind them here, and hardly think they could possibly destroy these otherwise good songs. It's a solid album, aside from "High Fidelity" (not the Costello classic) which I think is just a dreary, boring love song. I'm sure it's going to get a lot of attention from me.

As for Modulate, I'm going to have to get another copy to check out again, because I hated it so much that even after my usual 5-listens before making a judgement, I just couldn't find a reason to keep it. I feel like I owe it to Bob, having liked pretty much everything else of his, to give it another shot. Colinswood, here I come! Who's got it available for dl? Scottycash?

yup...i'll hop on the ol collinswood.....did i just say that?

Pretty OK on first listen. It's certainly different for him. Kinda like Sugar without the accessible vocal hooks and a bit more musically diverse. The vocoder bits really don't bother me much, though. Definitely worth repeat spins and could be a grower.

Is the Bob Mould self-titled album any good? What does in sound like in relation to his other work?

I'm interested in hearing his newest album, but I'm not going to hold my expectations too high. I think his best days (Husker Du and Sugar) have long past.

i am a huge bob mould fan so my opinion is biased, but i like the s/t album. i think it falls somewhere between his earlier solo work and sugar.

he also played all the instruments himself on this album if i am remembering correctly

I'm with Scottycash, I love it. I think it's a pretty logical follow-up to FUEL, but it's a little less intense, maybe.

As I said before, his new one is pretty damned good, aside from the dreary dud that is "High Fidelity." Blech.

I almost picked this up today, but decided to get Minor Threat's Complete Discography instead. Someone "borrowed" my copy 5 or 6 years ago and never gave it back. He didn't even like it - he said it was "too fast and boring".

But anyway...I had the Bob Mould in my hand, but something couldn't bring me to buy it. I need to hear samples first, I guess. I know I'll end up with it eventually.

Also, what is this "deluxe edition" about?

Ah, the death-knell of greatness. I cant think of the last album that has been truly great where all the instruments were played by one artist.

I'm burning this ( for Mrs. Dawg ) from eMusic right now - on track 7 as I write this.

Man, this album is fucking DULL.



Edit : Natural Mike's right, so far....the 2nd half IS considerably better. But half a good album's an EP - not an album.

It's awful, so I recommend skipping it unless you're a diehard fan of plodding tunes and horrible-sounding drum machines.

Pfft. How about the entire Wesley Willis catalog, sans Fiasco, of course.