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Concert review: Mould makes a healthy comeback
Chris Riemenschneider, Star Tribune
September 30, 2005 MOULD0930
Don’t let it be said that healthy living is contrary to great rock ’n‘ roll. After avoiding the vagabond rock-band lifestyle for seven years, a fit and energetic Bob Mould returned to the loud and heavy stuff Wednesday night at First Avenue, and fans in his former hometown felt most of the wear and tear.
Backed by a no-nonsense three-piece band, the alt-rock pioneer, 43, played with the same volume and nonstop velocity that fueled performances by his previous groups, Hüsker Dü and Sugar. But he smiled a lot more this time.
It was hard not to grin over the opening trilogy of „The Act We Act,“Good Idea“ and „Changes,“ the same three songs that kicked off Sugar’s 1992 debut, „Copper Blue.“ Mould then went straight into the first half of his new solo album, including the hammering rocker „Paralyzed“ and the electro-frazzled „I Am Vision, I Am Sound,“ which was meatier and moodier live.
The nearly sold-out crowd had to wait for the big „payoff“ that Mould promised in interviews: Hüsker Dü material, which he hasn’t played with another group since the trio broke up in 1987. When those tunes finally arrived, they came like a hailstorm, starting with „Hardly Getting Over It“ and picking up impact with each song, from „Could You Be the One?“I Apologize“ and „Chartered Trips“ to the pre-encore finale, „Celebrated Summer.“
A song that has highlighted Mould’s solo acoustic shows over the past 15 years, „Celebrated Summer“ demonstrated how his new band has revitalized the old songs. Those four minutes felt healthier than four hours in a gym.
See Mould’s setlist online at www.startribune.com/reviews.
http://www.startribune.com/stories/457/5642737.html
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