I first came across Bob Mould in the mid 1990s and wasn't really aware of Sugar until then. Having heard some solo stuff, a friend lent me this album, which I later picked up on CD in a sale.
After a couple of solo albums, both darker than his Husker Du stuff, this was Mould's return to band work, in a trio with him as absolute leader.
It's a brighter listen than the solo stuff, with some great rock songs. The Act We Act, That's A Good Idea, Changes and Helpless all fire out high energy, high decibel rock all very listenable, Then it's down a notch for Hoover Dam and The Slim, and the sparkly hit single, If I Can't Change Your Mind livens up proceedings. Fortune Teller is fast and furious, but oddly, the album ends with a couple of plodders - the dull Slick, and the more gentle and pleasant Man In The Moon.
There's nothing groundbreaking on this album, just solid rock songs, but it's a great listen.
4* - a fine return to upbeat rock for Bob Mould and the band
Comments