Modulate

Bob Mould | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 12, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Granary Music
• ASIN: B00005YWG0
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #163,096 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. 180 Rain

2. Sunset Safety Glass

3. Semper Fi

4. Homecoming Parade

5. Lost Zoloft

6. Without?

7. Slay/Sway

8. The Receipt

9. Quasar

10. Soundonsound

11. Hornery

12. Comeonstrong

13. Trade

14. Author's Lament

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Career of modulation, March 19, 2002

By 

Paul Mcdonough (Irving, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Modulate (Audio CD)

For those who have written off this album (the 18th of Bob's career), it is important to remember that Husker Du was written off after Zen Arcade by the hardcore kids and after they jumped to Warner Bros by many "purists." Bob was then written off himself by most "punks" after Workbook. The post Black Sheets of Rain Mould (particularly in Sugar) was much more like New Day rising and Flip your wig Husker Du and as such brought many of the "alternative music" crowd into the fold. However, one group has always welcomed the change and the freshness Bob brings to each project and those are music fans. While I was weaned on punk and guitar-driven rock, this album still contains all of the elements of a Bob Mould record. Great songwriting, lyrics about betrayal, confusion and ascendance and tremendous melodies. This is epitomized in the track Slay/Sway, a classic piece of Mould songwriting. Admittedly, it took me more than a few listens to get into this record, but to those who also take the time, you will be rewarded.

Paul M

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Same old Bob with a new flavor, March 13, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Modulate (Audio CD)

I approached the new Bob Mould record with a little uneasiness. I mean, how could the genius who gave us such rocking classics like "Celebrated Summer","Makes No Sense At All","Helpless" and "Moving Trucks" go electronic? Long time fans.....don't worry. Bob has changed his sound a bit, but it's still Bob. The first couple of tracks might shock a few people, but in a good way. The trance/dance track "Sunset Safety Glass" is amazing and Bob still has that familiar yearning in his voice. "Lost Zolofit" almost sounds like a My Bloody Valentine song from Isnt Anything. Excellent track! Think Bob left out his trademark electric guitar? Don't worry, tracks like "Sound On Sound" and "Come on Strong" have that buzzsaw guitar intact, with Bobs awesome lyrics and pop sensibilites shining through. But the hands down best track on the record is "Trade". This song sounds like it was lifted from 1989's workbook except it has a danceable beat. Have no fear Bob Mould fans, "Modulate" is still Bob...but with different sounds to entrance us. Buy it!

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Suprisingly great..., March 16, 2002

By 

Justin Rogers (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Modulate (Audio CD)

...or not so suprisingly if you have followed Bob's work of the last decade. I'm a big Husker Du/Sugar/solo Bob Mould fan, and I have to say that Modulate far exceeded any expectations I had. On first listen I thought the album was okay, but repeated listens has brought out a lot more subtle details that really make the album better; this is an album that needs to be consistently listened to to fully appreciate it. Song highlights for me- Trade, semper fi, quasar, and slay/sway. The part that surprised me the most is how melodic his voice sounds throughout the disc, the catchy vocal lines will stick in your head for days.

Now a word about the negative comments that will (and have) inevitably spring up regarding such a big departure for a well-liked artist. It almost makes me laugh to read the reviews that not only don't give the album a chance, but are obviously written from a close-minded perspective. Listen to the radio if you want Husker Du and Sugar-like material. There's plenty of people making that kind of music derivitive of what Bob made eons ago. Don't expect Bob to join them.