We Want More!
Vocalist and guitar player, Bob Mould, of the ‘80s band Husker Dü, just released his eighth solo album titled, Beauty & Ruin. The album is true to Mould’s sound, with his distinct vocals and alternative/ pop punk stylings.
Beauty & Ruin is a fun listen and a great album to start with. What you hear in these twelve tracks are a reflection of Mould’s solo discography that still gives you a taste of Husker Dü material. Mould incorporates both the calm melodic tunes of his solo projects and the slightly harsher tones of Dü, especially on “Hey, Mr. Grey” and “Kid with the Crooked Face.”
Mould is an interesting character in his own right, and in a way his music reflects that. Beauty & Ruin has songs that reflect both the anger of the punk scene as well as a poppy sound like that of “I Don’t Know You Anymore.” However, no matter the base line emotion of the given song, all twelve tracks truly revolve around the guitar line and vocals – something that seems to be the distinct signature of Mould.
The entire album is a cohesive piece of art; Mould’s soul and sound clearly shines through the entire album. Although it can be a little repetitive at times, it is not a repetition that becomes bothersome. Rather, it is a sound you come to enjoy, and in time the listener identifies the cohesiveness between every song. That cohesiveness creates a great album in the end – making it an album that works together from cover to cover.
Beauty & Ruin is a real turn on. It leaves you desperate for more, whether or not you’re a long-time Mould fan. Plus, this album possesses that rare quality of performance value; audiences will lap up these new songs when Mould takes them live.
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