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Editorial Reviews
30 years since the formation of Husker Du and 20 years since their explosive demise and the subsequent release of his first lauded solo effort Workbook - called a "masterpiece" by critics
- Bob Mould is marking anniversaries with an album filled with self-reflection and an unflinching examination of the world around him. Standouts like "Wasted World" and "I'm
Sorry Baby, But You Can t Stand in My Light Anymore" highlight an artist completing a cycle decades in the making, his talent undiminished, his perspective acute. Bob Mould is one of the most influential musicians of the alternative rock era, first for his early work with post-punks
Husker Du, followed by the college rock-defining pop of Sugar and finally for his solo albums, notably his first, Workbook,
which quieted Mould s previous ire to reveal his fine songwriting in a new light and allowed an introspective glimpse into the inner workings of an evolving artist. With Life and Times, Mould comes full circle, reclaiming his indie songwriting mantle from the generation of musicians he inspired.
- Bob Mould is marking anniversaries with an album filled with self-reflection and an unflinching examination of the world around him. Standouts like "Wasted World" and "I'm
Sorry Baby, But You Can t Stand in My Light Anymore" highlight an artist completing a cycle decades in the making, his talent undiminished, his perspective acute. Bob Mould is one of the most influential musicians of the alternative rock era, first for his early work with post-punks
Husker Du, followed by the college rock-defining pop of Sugar and finally for his solo albums, notably his first, Workbook,
which quieted Mould s previous ire to reveal his fine songwriting in a new light and allowed an introspective glimpse into the inner workings of an evolving artist. With Life and Times, Mould comes full circle, reclaiming his indie songwriting mantle from the generation of musicians he inspired.
Customer Reviews
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By T. Lalley
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
As with virtually all of Bob Mould's releases, I love some songs, I like some others and don't feel strongly for one or two. Overall, Life and Times is a solid release. Bob draws on his punk past, his dance DJ present, digs deep emotionally on wrenching songs like Bad Blood Letter, and throws some pop bones to his fans with the title track and I'm Sorry Baby.... Rolling Stone gave this a so-so review but I find a whole lot to like about Life and Times. Bob's the real deal. I have a long history with him and you (well, at least I) can tell that he pours a lot of himself into his music. That's all I need from a gifted musician. I'm psyched! Bob's got a new album out!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
As an avid fan of almost everything Bob has done musically (come on, do you really listen to Modulate?), I followed most of the publicity prior to the release of this album, which Bob himself described as a return to his Workbook era, some 20 years ago. After the disappointment of District Line (which had only a few moments of brilliance and a many moments of mediocrity), I cautiously previewed the songs for Life and Times and was impressed enough to shell out my cash for this latest installment of Bob's impressive career.
This album is a big improvement over the aforementioned District Line - the electronics are less prominent in the mix (which Bob should ideally reserve for Blowoff) and the addition of Jon Wurster of Superchunk behind the kit has added to the sound. Bob seems re-energized by the simplicity of the songs and the production has been stripped down to fewer elements when held up against all his previous 00's releases. The bleeps and electronica soundscapes are no longer at the forefront as they were on District Line and Body of Song, and are almost completely replaced with passionate and honest performances which add to the strength of this superior collection of songwriting.
Life and Times is a 'give the people what they want' effort; the vast majority of Bob Mould die-hards want to hear compelling guitars and gritty vocals, not 'techno'! Any comparisons between Workbook would be unfair given the fact that Workbook is the greatest monument of his solo career thus far; if you are looking for Workbook 2, then you won't find it here. Life and Times would rate as his strongest collection of songs since his self-titled album from 1996. Key tracks include the opener 'Life and Times' (which, of all the tracks, would actually have fit perfectly on Workbook), 'The Breach', 'Spiraling Down' and the single 'I'm Sorry Baby...'. These four tracks alone warrant any fan of Bob Mould purchasing this strong album. This is not quite Workbook, but defintely in the upper half of his solid resume.
This album is a big improvement over the aforementioned District Line - the electronics are less prominent in the mix (which Bob should ideally reserve for Blowoff) and the addition of Jon Wurster of Superchunk behind the kit has added to the sound. Bob seems re-energized by the simplicity of the songs and the production has been stripped down to fewer elements when held up against all his previous 00's releases. The bleeps and electronica soundscapes are no longer at the forefront as they were on District Line and Body of Song, and are almost completely replaced with passionate and honest performances which add to the strength of this superior collection of songwriting.
Life and Times is a 'give the people what they want' effort; the vast majority of Bob Mould die-hards want to hear compelling guitars and gritty vocals, not 'techno'! Any comparisons between Workbook would be unfair given the fact that Workbook is the greatest monument of his solo career thus far; if you are looking for Workbook 2, then you won't find it here. Life and Times would rate as his strongest collection of songs since his self-titled album from 1996. Key tracks include the opener 'Life and Times' (which, of all the tracks, would actually have fit perfectly on Workbook), 'The Breach', 'Spiraling Down' and the single 'I'm Sorry Baby...'. These four tracks alone warrant any fan of Bob Mould purchasing this strong album. This is not quite Workbook, but defintely in the upper half of his solid resume.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Better than Body of Song and District Line. Mould's best solo work since the 1996 Bob Mould LP
April 7, 2009
By A reader
Format:Audio CD
I have been listening to Bob Mould since before people told me to purchase Husker Du because I was listening to too much of Sugar.
This is Bob Mould's best and most well-rounded solo album since his
1996 solo LP "Bob Mould".
"Life and Times" is a very focused record, and has more in common with
"Modulate" and his work in the trio Sugar than his latest LPs.
If "Bob Mould," "The Last Dog and Pony Show," "District Line," "Modulate,"
and "Black Sheets of Rain" are your least favorite albums by Mould, then
you won't really find anything to like here.
However, if you particularly enjoy his electronic meanderings and his
singluarly authentic 'voice' on lead guitar, then you are in for a treat
with "Life and Times".
Although it is impossible for Mould to top his work with Sugar or
his solo masterpiece "Workbook," this is as good as he's ever sounded.
This is Bob Mould's best and most well-rounded solo album since his
1996 solo LP "Bob Mould".
"Life and Times" is a very focused record, and has more in common with
"Modulate" and his work in the trio Sugar than his latest LPs.
If "Bob Mould," "The Last Dog and Pony Show," "District Line," "Modulate,"
and "Black Sheets of Rain" are your least favorite albums by Mould, then
you won't really find anything to like here.
However, if you particularly enjoy his electronic meanderings and his
singluarly authentic 'voice' on lead guitar, then you are in for a treat
with "Life and Times".
Although it is impossible for Mould to top his work with Sugar or
his solo masterpiece "Workbook," this is as good as he's ever sounded.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
another powerful set
I was a Husker Du fan back in the day, and enjoyed Bob Mould's "Workbook" album quite a lot, but less than thrilled with the harsher "Black Sheets of Rain. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Donald E. Gilliland
4.0 out of 5 stars
"but now I see the shadows as they fall"
If you liked District Line, you will like Life and Times. It is not as solid as District Line, but it is cut from a similar cloth. Read more
Published on November 7, 2009 by mwreview
5.0 out of 5 stars
Got more than expected
I admit I prejudged this release. I saw the Rolling Stone review and then put off purchasing. But after hearing Life and Times I had to post a positive review. Read more
Published on July 9, 2009 by FinnSpin
4.0 out of 5 stars
Bob Mould, Singer/Songwriter
Bob Mould's been many things in his 30 year career: a punk, an introspective solo artist, a grunge-pop master, and an electronica maven/DJ. Read more
Published on June 30, 2009 by Timothy P. Young
4.0 out of 5 stars
I hope he finds his soulmate someday, but until then classic Bob Mould
Read most of the reviews...but finally decided that I liked everything Bob Mould had ever been involved with, so I was probably going to be okay with "Life and Times". Read more
Published on June 24, 2009 by Sheri Bentsen
5.0 out of 5 stars
wow. this is surprisingly great!
I grew up on the Huskers and Workbook and have everything since, but I have to say this is Bob's best solo record since Workbook. The tunes are insightful and packed with energy. Read more
Published on June 19, 2009 by Mike Yo!
3.0 out of 5 stars
Can't Quite Put My Finger On It
Three and a half stars, actually. I am a big fan and find a lot to like here, but somehow this one, while boasting some terrific songs, lacks cohesion, a propulsion, and the... Read more
Published on May 2, 2009 by J Hamster
4.0 out of 5 stars
Worthy effort
It wasn't Husker Du that turned me into a Bob Mould fan so much as it was Sugar. Perhaps it's a matter of timing. Read more
Published on April 28, 2009 by Howlinw
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bob Mould is amazing!
Another great record from Bob Mould, one of the best artists out there. If you're a fan of Bob, buy this, it won't disappoint. Love the title track, "Life and Times". Read more
Published on April 21, 2009 by Mark
4.0 out of 5 stars
More Hits Than Misses This Time
I gotta come to the defense of Bob on this one. There are some great memorable tracks (the stretch from City Lights to MM 17 to Argos is simply awesome) - the higher pitch sung on... Read more
Published on April 18, 2009 by Stats848
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