Workbook (studio album) by Bob Mould

From buzzdainer 06/30/2020 15:53

When a band I love breaks up, most of the time I'm less enamored of the new bands, side projects, and solo endeavors that ensue afterward. There's often something special about the chemistry between band members that makes whatever they were doing unique and special, and it can be difficult for even the most talented musicians and songwriters to recapture the magic. I assumed that would be the case with Hüsker Dü, as Bob Mould and Grant Hart brought such different and complementary energies to that great punk/alternative rock band. But I think Workbook surpasses anything Hüsker Dü ever did. The use of acoustic guitar, paired with the searing distortion-heavy electric lead guitars for soloing, draws attention to Mould's talents as a lyricist in ways that Hüsker Dü's wall of noise tended to obscure. An unexpected and still much-underappreciated album, Workbook is an incredibly consistent collection of songs with many highlights, perhaps the most memorable of which is the scorching guitar work on "Wishing Well."

An excellent solo effort from the former lead singer of Husker Du. The first five tracks are particularly strong, but there is very little drop off as the album goes on. One of the best albums of the eighties.

Bob Mould was always a great songwriter.

Terrific solo effort from the Husker Du alumi. Stand outs include Poision years and Heartbreak a Stranger.