QRO’s live review of Bob Mould at City Winery in New York, NY on February 10th, 2017
Photos of Bob Mould at 2016 Riot Fest in Chicago, IL
Photos of Bob Mould at SXSW 2014 in Austin, TX
QRO’s review of Bob Mould playing Workbook at City Winery on March 7th, 2014
Photos of Bob Mould at 2013 Riot Fest
Photos of Bob Mould at 2013 Bumbershoot in Seattle, WA
Photos of Bob Mould at 2013 Osheaga Music Festival in Montreal, PQ, Canada
QRO’s review of Bob Mould at Bowery Ballroom in New York, NY on February 26th, 2013
Photos of Bob Mould at 2012 Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin, TX
QRO’s review of Bob Mould at Williamsburg Park in Brooklyn, NY on September 7th, 2012
Photos of Bob Mould at SXSW 2012
Photos of Bob Mould at 2011 Sasquatch! Music Festival in George, WA
Bob Mould has been making music for forty years now, first in eighties iconic punk band Hüsker Dü (QRO spotlight on), then solo, then nineties alt-act Sugar, and solo again in this century/millennium. More recent times have seen him rise from cult act to wider success, as the artists who were influenced by him back when have helped raise his profile now – plus the music of all eras is available to everyone these days. Sunshine Rock is another powerful release from this powerful artist.
As befits an album with ‘Rock’ in the title, there are many big punk rock songs on the record, from the titular opener through “Western Sunset” finish. There are definitely upbeat ‘Sunshine’ songs, like those two, “Irrational Poison”, Robbie van Leeuwen cover “Send Me a Postcard”, and ode to camp, “Camp Sunshine”. But it’s not a Bob Mould release without darker, more wrought, emotional fare. There’s the driving “Sunny Love Song”, raw “Sin King”, tragic “Lost Faith”, and stand out lament on the dimming & shrinking of life in “The Final Years”.
Bob Mould has managed to release record after record of big, bold punk rock without feeling like he’s just repeating himself. He’s a cult artist who doesn’t just have cult appeal. He’s Bob Mould.
