Bob Mould Recent News

Anti Records Reviews An Exceptional 2009

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 00:12:00 -0800

Legendary Artists, A Breakout Album for Neko Case, A Triumphant And Soulful Offering From The Swell Season, Six Grammy Nods for Anti Artists, Tom Waits Live Album and Much More

William Elliott Whitmore: Animals in the Dark - On his Anti debut Whitmore reflects on life and loss and the world surrounding his Iowa horse farm on the banks of the Mississippi. The album showcases Whitmore’s classic songwriting and mastery of the acoustic guitar and banjo, but adds elements such as strings, an organ and a pedal steel, giving the songs a more expansive, cultivated sound. 2009 saw this unique artist captivating audiences around the world with his haunting and timeless sound.

"Animals reinforces his reputation as one of today's most transcendent folk artists." - Kansas City Star

"There's a time-honored truthfullness to William Elliott Whitmore that can't be rehearsed and most certainly can't be faked. It's tonally apparent in the world-weary ache of his baritone voice; it's lyrically manifested in the god-fearing mannerisms of simple protagonists; and it's buried deep within the gutsy pride and righteous integrity with which the Americana singer confronts issues of moral wrongs, institutional control, and fundamental rights throughout Animals in the Dark." - The Absolute Sound

NASA: The Spirit of Apollo - A joyfully sometimes surreal musical expedition overflowing with inspired collaborations -Tom Waits growls over Kool Keith, Karen O taunts while Ol' Dirty Bastard gives shout-outs to Wu Tang and N.A.S.A from the grave, and David Byrne, Chuck D and others expound on the evils of "Money." In spite of the range of performers, the pairings make perfect sense. Live the band features dancing aliens which is always a plus.

“The Spirit of Apollo is what happens when the imagination is let out of its cage. Good things happen.” – Urb

N.A.S.A.'s dope beats and wet-dream collaborations make Apollo an absolute must-have. - Alternative Press

Neko Case: Middle Cyclone – A stunning album by one of the preeminent songwriters and performers today. This is the record that finally transported Case from heroine of the underground into a deservedly larger spotlight. A riveting tour de force which has already graced many best of polls including those of Spin, Pitchfork and the top position on Amazon’s “Best Music of 2009” list. The album has also received Two Grammy nominations for “Best Contemporary Folk Album” and “Best Recording Package” (for the striking album cover)

“Case has one of the most powerful sets of pipes in pop” - Rolling Stone

“Neko Case’s songs are full of claws, wolves, tornadoes, birds of prey and the occasional gust of wind. But her voice is the real force of nature.” – New York Times Magazine

Ramblin’ Jack Elliott: A Stranger Here - The renowned troubadour steps out of the country/folk arena that has shaped his legend and examines pre-WWII blues songs in a wholly unique way. A Stranger Here proves another wonderful tome in the library of one of the great American storytellers. The album has been nominated for a Grammy in the category of “Best Traditional Blues Album” and has garnered the album’s esteemed producer Joe Henry a nomination in the “Best Traditional Blues Album” category.

“Ramblin’ Jack Elliott is, along with Pete Seeger, one of America’s finest living folk singers. Seeing him play is a treat, but hearing him tell long, meandering stories — he didn’t get that nickname for nothing — is transformative.” - New York Times

“Both beautiful and brave in its purity" - Performing Songwriter

Bob Mould: Life and Times - A cathartic and vital album by an influential artist marks the respective anniversaries of the formation of Husker Du and Mould’s lauded solo effort Workbook with an album of unflinching self-reflection. Standouts like "Wasted World" and "I'm Sorry Baby, But You Can't Stand In My Light Anymore" highlight an artist completing a cycle decades in the making, his talent undiminished, his perspective acute.

"Passion, beauty, intelligence, grace: it's all here." – Filter

"This newest collection is moody and minimalist, and it showcases Mould’s introspective side. The most compelling songs evoke the speed, energy, and passionate commitment that justly made Mould an icon." - New Yorker

Jason Lytle: Yours Truly, The Commuter - Two years after Grandaddy's demise, Lytle returns with an immaculately crafted pop soundscape that mirrors both the dramatic environment of Lytle's newly-adopted Montana and the vintage twang of the Central California farmland that inspired hiss earlier work. Electronic flourishes collide with acoustic guitars and soulful piano parts, perfectly recreating Lytle’s signature lo-fi-electro atmospheres.

“A richly textured work that is lovingly crafted and affectingly poignant." - Alternative Press

“A textured homage to the lush and laid-back West Coast dream life of his youth…it’s like Bruce Springsteen’s open highway finally reached a melancholy kid from Modesto.” - Spin

Booker T: Potato Hole – The trailblazing soul man has written the most audacious chapter of his career with his first solo album in decades. Backed by the Drive-By Truckers with Booker's signature Hammond B3, the album bristles with energy and heart. The album has earned a Grammy nomination for Jones in the category of “Best Pop Instrumental Album.”

“There are no chart-baiting superstar guest vocalists or gimmicks, just gut-punching, funky, loose-limbed, rock 'n' soul jams recorded in down-and-dirty sessions without an inch of fat.” - Boston Globe

“Potato Hole proves as extraordinary, delirious and laugh-out-loud weird as anyone might dare hope.” – Uncut

The Field: Yesterday & Today - The innovative sound artist expands his ever transfixing audio palette, continuing the oblique sampling strategy of his critically praised “From Here We Go Sublime” while building up the rhythmic architecture to startling new heights.

“Full of driving, dirty beats, crisp bells and hats that delicately pepper the high end, this sonic treasure offers plenty of infectious grooves.” - DJ Times

“Yesterday & Today is gorgeous, overwhelming, lush and (mainly) wordless, and it reeks throughout of inarticulable emotion.” - Prefix Magazine

Bettye LaVette: Change is Gonna Come Sessions – The soul singer extraordinaire revisits her forgotten post-Atlantic Records years as a nightclub singer and Broadway performer with a mix of classics including a heart wrenching rendition of Billie Holiday's "God Bless The Child" and an acclaimed version of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come," which LaVette performed at the Obama Inaugural Celebration.

"There's no one more soulful than Bettye LaVette…Bettye makes great music now because of her obstacles. She has a fire in her belly and a passion that was never squashed over the years...you just hear it and feel it in everything she sings." - CNN.com

“a compelling and intimate set of songs that adroitly combine a smoky jazz club, Saturday night rent party and Sunday morning church service. “ - Creative Loafing

Busdriver: Jhelli Beam – The art rap progenitor returns to jolt rap back into shape with virtuoso vocal stylings and poignant (and at times dadaist) lyricism. This record not only effortlessly trumps all previous mind-bending performances of his earlier works, but gives them new context; highlighting their dexterity with nuggets of election year paranoia and absurdist humor.

"Everything on Jhelli Beam makes sense. Every word is a picture. Every sentence pushed over the one before it the way dominos fall when they're lined up in a row....This is creativity - this is the reason for being: to preceive/ingest, and digest, and poop it out." - LA Record

“Busdriver's crazy, quick verses sprint from inside-out humor to social criticism alongside challenging beats that reward repeated listens. Exciting, odd stuff." - Chicago Tribune

Solillaquists of Sound: No More Heroes - With this release the Orlando-based hip hop quartet have accomplished the rare feat of creating a body of work that's as palatable to the public as it is groundbreaking, imaginative, and rewarding to listeners looking for something more in the soundtrack to their lives.

“authentic and raw, blending elements of dubstep, afrobeat, folk, most
obviously hip-hop, but surprisingly more synth-beats infused in a background of beautiful harmonies.” - 7x7 Magazine

“A lyrically potent, melodic, and danceable piece, make sure to cop one of the best records the year has to offer.” – Sputnikmusic

Joe Henry: Blood From Stars - The revered solo artist and Grammy-winning producer’s music spans many genres but the dominant sound on Blood From Stars is a rich blues tonality that swells into ravishing epics that jump the rails to incorporate folky jazz and bent Sinatra-esque washes of sampled strings. Henry’s eleventh album is a tour de force of lush arrangements and seductive song lines. The acclaimed musician/producer was also nominated for a Grammy for his work guiding Ramblin Jack Elliott’s release, A Stranger Here.

"Joe Henry is like that unexpected piece of dark chocolate at the bottom of the ice cream dish: something rich, sweet and so surprisingly good that you wonder how it escaped you before. This album captures a sensuous musicality, whether it's torch songs or avant-garde and traditional jazz, raw blues or pumped up soul escapades." – RELIX

“For connoisseurs of craft, Henry’s writing is an absolute joy, drawing effortlessly on classic pop, roots, and folk traditions and alchemizing these various strains into a single, sweet sound.” – American Way Magazine

Os Mutantes: Haih or Amortecedor - Still psychedelic, influential, political and playful after all these years – the near mythical has crafted triumphant return with their first record in 35 Years. Revered by luminaries such as Kurt Cobain, the Flaming Lips Devendra Banhart and Beck, the Mutantes have delivered one of the most original and enjoyable albums of the year.

"a superb, politically tinged reunion effort....their new songs remain as bold and fascinating as their old ones." – New Yorker

"Haih Or Amortecedor is rhapsodic, an endearing tribute, and a welcome addition, to one of pop music’s strangest group of musicians." – Popmatters

Islands: Vapours – The ever evolving Montreal outfit returns with an album that flits back and forth between moody synthesizers and drum-machine-heavy beats and an array of intriguing sonic textures, all the while remaining firmly rooted in the classic pop sensibilities and melodic hooks the band is celebrated for. 

"infectious and weird....masterful, refreshing synth-pop, served up pure and simple.” – Blackbook

"one of our favorite albums of the fall. It's just some lush, pop goodness." – Paper Magazine

Rain Machine: Rain Machine - Kyp Malone’s solo project features ten unflinchingly original and emotional songs mixing elements of modern jazz, blue-grass and blistering guitar driven rock into a refreshing new sound. As singer and guitarist for celebrated band TV on the Radio, Malone proved himself both a captivating and delightfully unpredictable musical force. On Rain Machine, he shows himself a singer and a lyricist of startling talents.

“Malone steps out with an emotionally open debut just as experimental and daring as his work with TVOTR.” – USA Today

“The tunes sound a bit like a rain dance—tribal bells, trance-inflected refrains, the occasional howl—but one that's been fed through the post-apocalyptic fury of TV On The Radio. The result proves a compelling sonic exploration, knotty and exultant as ever.” – The Onion

Dead Man’s Bones: Dead Man’s Bones - Initially intended as play about a monster-ghost-love-story, Zach Shields and Ryan Gosling eventually scrapped the stage show and recorded Dead Man’s Bones, a refreshingly original album featuring doo-wop songs about werewolves, haunting melodies telling tales of zombies with broken hearts, and children singing the joys and pains of being alive or being dead.

“Simultaneously sweet and spooky, heart-stirring and imaginative; a wonderful requiem to our forgotten fear of the dark" – LA Weekly

“A decidedly beautiful thing" – MOJO

The Swell Season: Strict Joy – The follow up to their Oscar winning “Once” soundtrack, Strict Joy finds the duo of Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova evoking the bittersweet aftermath of their real life romance and breakup with an album of stirring folk tinged blue eyed soul.

“a lush, lovely, heartfelt gem.” – NPR

“Strict Joy is a joy from start to finish, as few bands manage to mix intimacy and sweeping songcraft with such finesse.” – All Music Guide

Alec Ounsworth: Mo’ Beauty - a soulful and intriguing solo endeavor from celebrated singer/songwriter Alec Ounsworth of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Recorded in music-steeped New Orleans with an all star cast of local talent, the end result is a display of masterful songwriting and arguably Ounsworth’s best work yet.

"Mesmerizing and profound" – The Onion

"The sharpest arrangements and best songwriting of his short career: Almost every tune on Mo Beauty equals or betters those on CYHSY's lauded 2005 debut, mixing spooky folk with frantic fun. Ounsworth's regular band may have a shaky future, but he doesn't." – Spin

Tom Waits: Glitter & Doom Live – This two disc collection perfectly documents Waits' sold out, acclaimed 2008 “Glitter and Doom” tour. The music disc features Waits' in his eclectic glory shifting seamlessly from an array of characters: carnival barker, preacher, country singer, soul balladeer; cabaret singer and storyteller. Disc Two is a selection of the comic bromides, strange musings, and unusual facts that Waits traditionally shares with his audience during the piano set.

“One of the most charismatic and straightforwardly entertaining live artists you are ever likely to see or hear. (..) Pick disc one for the uninterrupted junkyard blues and bewilderingly tender crooning: choose disc two for trivia and lies dredged from the back pages of the Fortean Times and delivered sans songs with the impeccable timing of a seasoned professional still in love with the stage and his audience.” – Time Out London

“Equal parts Captain Beefheart and Louis Armstrong as he examines the full spectrum of life, from the grimly grotesque to the sweetly sentimental… It’s an utter delight.” - NME

* Mavis Staples: Live: Hope at the Hideout - While technically released at the end of 2008, it’s worth mentioning that Mavis’ blistering live album has just earned the legendary soul singer a well deserved Grammy nomination in the category of “Best Contemporary Blues Album.” Mavis was previously awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2005 Grammys for her collective work with the Staples Singers.

Bob Mould and his Band Announce October Tour

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 00:06:00 -0700

Electrified Sets Promise Career Highlights Ranging from Husker Du to Sugar to Mould's Latest Life And Times

Bob Mould, who has stirred audiences for the past 30 years, first with his post-punk band Husker Du, followed by his power pop creation Sugar and finally as an unparalleled solo artist, will continue to expand his legacy as he leads the Bob Mould band on tour in North America in October.

Mould's latest release, Life And Times, touches upon aspects of his earlier decades of work, and adds an unrelenting honesty and growing perspective to reveal an artist still climbing his creative peaks and unafraid to plumb his own emotional depths. Critics and fans alike have responded:

"Passion, beauty, intelligence, grace: it's all here." – Filter

"This newest collection, on the theme of fragile relationships, is moody and minimalist, and it showcases Mould's introspective side. The most compelling songs evoke the speed, energy, and passionate commitment that justly made Mould an icon." – The New Yorker

"Life and Times does manage to reflect each facet of Mould's career, from his punk roots through his current electronic leanings. Most importantly, Life and Times offers hook after giant hook." – Pitchfork

"Dirty lyrics, messy punk growls, and the wide spectrum of sound and storytelling Bob Mould fans haven't heard in a while. Like his first solo album, Workbook, Life and Times is a stripped-down return to the basics Bob does best." – LA Weekly

The Bob Mould Band on tour:
10/5 Toronto, ONT @ Mod Club 
10/7 Boston, MA @ Paradise
 10/8 New York, NY @ Irving Plaza
 10/10 Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club 
10/12 Chicago, IL @ Metro 
10/13 Minneapolis, MN @ First Ave. 
10/15 Seattle, WA @ Neumos 
10/16 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir 
10/19 Los Angeles, CA @ Troubadour 
10/20 San Diego, CA @ Belly Up

BOB MOULD INSPIRED AND INSPIRING AT COACHELLA

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:04:00 -0700

Bob Mould – Originator of Guitar-driven Alt/Rock– Inspired and Inspiring at Coachella: “There's nary a younger act on the bill that doesn't owe some debt to Mould's work" - LA Times

New Record – Life And Times – Sums Up 30 Years of Work with Reflection while Never Easing up on the Aural Assault

With bands like the Silversun Pickups and No Age drawing big crowds at this year’s Coachella music festival, it was a midday set on Saturday from Husker Du/Sugar veteran frontman Bob Mould that schooled the young audience on the real power of loud guitars and moody lyrics.

The 48 year old Mould played a 45 minute, career-spanning set that kicked off with Sugar’s “The Act We Act” and included favorites like Husker Du’s “New Day Rising” along with songs from Mould’s expansive solo material, including two songs from his latest Life And Times. Backed by a full band that gave the eager crowd the wall-of-guitar sound that Mould popularized way back in the 80s, the Coachella performance was noted as one of the weekend’s best by fans and critics alike:

• “Mould's most recent release, Life and Times, is about reflection. His Coachella set was more about asserting some dominance. There's nary a younger act on the bill that doesn't owe some debt to Mould's work in Husker Du and Sugar, ranging from the fuzz-laced assault of the Silversun Pickups to the hearty heartland rock of the Hold Steady.” --LA Times

• “Marrying ear-candy melodies to noisy and snarling punk-kissed sonics and creating a muscular, nerve-flayed detonation of classic punk and rock that felt like rhythmic slabs of concrete being shockwaved from the stage and into the crowd. Skipping from the slam-bang kinetics of minute-and-a-half Dü-styled speed-punk to the melodic slow-burn edge of a track like "Life and Times" (from his 2009 album of same name), the Bob Mould Band illustrated the possibilities of melody and songcraft within a serrated guitar thunderstorm, and did so without compromise or sacrifice of vision. And while Sunday performers No Age may be the current gatekeepers of the noise-rock genre, Mould noisily reminded everyone within bloody earshot that he was still in charge.” –Paste Magazine

• “He plays straightforward grownup rock, combining new material like "Life and Times" with old band hits like "If I Can't Change Your Mind" and Mould himself not doing anything at all out of the norm while still keeping the crowd thrilled.” –Entertainment Weekly

• “No act rocked Saturday's concert better than Mould, who, at 48, proved that there is no age limit for creating exciting new music.” --Live Daily

Legendary Songwriter Bob Mould Offers Rare Look Back

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:03:00 -0700

On April 7th, one of the most important figures in the American rock underground, Bob Mould, will celebrate the release of his evocative new record Life And Times by saluting the 20th anniversary of the album which first established him as a preeminent solo artist. For Mould’s DC area show at the Birchmere Music Hall, he has gathered acoustic combo of long time collaborators Jason Narducy (bass, guitar), Amy Domingues (cello), and Richard Morel (keyboards) in order to interpret songs from his seminal 1989 offering Workbook as well as the brand new Life and Times.

Bob Mould: "I remember the DC show in May 1989 promoting Workbook. Twenty years later it will be great fun to return to the DC area with those songs in hand and a new interpretation in mind. Many of the songs on Life And Times are a nod to that era. I am planning a special night of music and the Birchmere is the ideal room for this rendition. April 7 will be another day for me to remember: a one-of-a-kind show on the release day of Life And Times for the hometown crowd."

Acclaim For Life And Times:

"With his second album in 13 months, "Life and Times" (Anti), the man who put the howl in Husker Du and the super-sized melodies in Sugar has been on a mid-career songwriting roll. Introspection reigns and devastation shadows every verse, but as usual the hooks abound, and when he lights into a guitar solo ("Wasted World") or rides a Sugar-sized wave ("Argos"), he reminds us all that he practically invented indie rock." - Chicago Tribune

"This ninth solo album finds the former Hüsker Dü and Sugar firebrand still making a mark. An eclectic, at times explicit, exploration of love, loss and lust, it's the work of a skilled songwriter comfortable in his own skin and canon. The songs revisit most of Mould's major milieux - punk rock, hard pop, edgy electronica - with the benefits of age and experience." - The Guardian

"So it seems the new bald, bearded and kinda buff Bob is warming up to his legacy while continuing to craft it. That's evident on his new album, Life and Times, complete with dirty lyrics, messy punk growls, and the wide spectrum of sound and storytelling Bob Mould fans haven't heard in a while. Like his first solo album, Workbook (1989), Life and Times is a stripped-down return to the basics Bob does best." - LA Weekly

Make sure to also catch Mould’s session on Daytrotter.com up 3/31

Bob Mould Tour Dates:
Friday, April 3, 2009 Philadelphia, PA US
North Star Bar @ 7:00 PM
Sunday, April 5, 2009 Charlottesville, VA US
Gravity Lounge @ 9:00 PM
Tuesday, April 7, 2009 Alexandria, VA US
Birchmere @ 9:00 PM
Wednesday, April 8, 2009 New York, NY US
Joes Pub @ 9:00 PM
Thursday, April 9, 2009 New York, NY US
Joes Pub @ 9:00 PM
Saturday, April 18, 2009 Indio, CA US
Empire Polo Field @ 12:00 PM

Bob Mould Plays Set at HOTEL CAFE, Electrifies COACHELLA, NOISE POP & Honors R.E.M for Charity

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:02:00 -0800

First Single from Forthcoming Life & Times "I'm Sorry Baby but You Can't Stand in My Light Anymore" out March 3 on iTunes

9 February - Bob Mould has announced a string of dates leading up to the release of Life and Times on April 7th, including an intimate, acoustic appearance at Hollywood's Hotel Café on March 2nd and an electrified set at the famed Coachella Valley Arts and Music Festival with the Bob Mould Band on April 18th. Additionally, on March 11, Mould will join Patti Smith, Calexico, Jolie Holland and many others at Carnegie Hall to pay tribute to the music of R.E.M. Proceeds from the event go to fund music programs for underprivileged students.

2009 promises to be a busy year for Mould. The release of the first single "I'm Sorry Baby..." on March 3rd on iTunes will give fans a taste of what to expect from Life and Times, a guitar-driven, breathtakingly honest record that harkens back to his first solo release, the universally acclaimed Workbook. In addition to touring in support of Life and Times, Mould is also currently working on his autobiography with writer Michael Azerrad, who most famously penned the biography Come as You Are: the Story of Nirvana, and DJ'ing several times a month, along with Richard Morel, under the moniker Blowoff.

30 years after the formation of his first band, the seminal Husker Du, and 20 years since the release of Workbook, Bob Mould's creative output is more abundant than ever, and shows no sign of slowing....

Bob Mould on tour:
Feb 28 Noise Pop Festival - San Francisco, California
Mar 02 Hotel Cafe - Los Angeles, California
Mar 11 R.E.M. Benefit Tribute at Carnegie Hall - New York, New York
Mar 29 Old Town School of Folk - Chicago, Illinois
Mar 30 Varsity Theater - Minneapolis, Minnesota
Apr 03 North Star Bar – Philadelphia, PA
Apr 05 Gravity Lounge - Charlottesville, Virginia
Apr 07 Birchmere - Alexandria, Virginia
Apr 08 Joe's Pub - New York, New York
Apr 09 Joe's Pub - New York, New York
Apr 18 Coachella - Indio, California

Bob Mould Schedules Performances Leading up to the Release of his Latest Solo Effort 'Life and Times

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:01:00 -0800

20 Years After His First Lauded Solo Album Workbook, 30 Years Since the Formation of Husker Du, Life and Times Harkens Back to Both

Bob Mould is arguably one of the most influential musicians of the alternative rock era, first for his early work with post-punk rabble-rousers Husker Du, followed by the college-rock-defining pop of Sugar and finally for his solo albums, notably his first, Workbook, which quieted Mould's previous ire to reveal his fine songwriting in a new light and allowed an introspective glimpse into the inner workings of an evolving artist.

2009 marks the 20th anniversary of the release of Workbook, and also the release of Bob Mould's latest solo work, Life and Times, set for an April 7th street date. Produced and mixed by Mould in his current hometown of Washington D.C, the album is filled with Mould's experiences in relation to friends, lovers, the world at large and himself. It is honest and personal, his voice breaking on "Bad Blood Better," the electronic twitches of earlier work reappearing under signature blazing guitars on "MM17." Mould appraises the perils of easy self-distraction on "Wasted World" and is not afraid to get explicit on "Argos." The emotional and musical centerpiece of the record, "I'm Sorry Baby, But You Can't Stand In My Light Anymore," is an unflinching look at the sorrow and regret that comes at the end of love.

Mould will play a series of shows leading up to and in support of the release of Life and Times, including a performance at Carnegie Hall in tribute to the music of R.E.M to benefit music programs for underprivileged children. Other performers include Patti Smith, Calexico, Jolie Holland, Apples In Stereo and many more. Past tributes from the series include the music of Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen and 100% of the event's net proceeds go directly to fund music programs.

Bob Mould On Tour:
02/28 - San Francisco, CA @ Swedish American Hall (Noisepop Festival)
03/02 - Los Angeles, CA @ Hotel Cafe
03/11 - New York, CA @ Carnegie Hall (R.E.M Tribute Show)
03/29 - Chicago, IL @ Old Town School of Folk
03/30 - Minneapolis, IL @ Varsity Theatre
04/05 - Charlottesville, VA @ Gravity Lounge
04/07 - Alexandria, VA @ Birchmere
04/08 - New York, NY @ Joe's Pub
04/09 - New York, NY @ Joe's Pub

Life and Times Track Listing:
1. Life and Times
2. The Breach
3. City Lights (Days Go By)
4. MM 17
5. Argos
6. Bad Blood Better
7. Wasted World
8. Spiraling Down
9. I'm Sorry, Baby, But You Can't Stand In My Light Any More
10. Lifetime

Bob Mould Readies New Album for Spring 2009 Release

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:01:00 -0800

20 Years After his First Lauded Solo Album Workbook, 30 Years Since the Formation of Husker Du

Bob Mould is arguably one of the most influential musicians of the alternative rock era, first for his early work with post-punk rabble-rousers Husker Du, followed by the college-rock-defining pop of Sugar and finally for his solo albums, notably his first, Workbook, which quieted Mould's previous ire to reveal his fine songwriting in a new light and allowed an introspective glimpse into the inner workings of an evolving artist.

2009 marks the 20th anniversary of the release of Workbook, and also the release of Bob Mould's latest, yet-untitled solo work, set for an April 7th street date. Produced and mixed by Mould in his new hometown of Washington D.C, the album is filled with Mould's experiences in relation to friends, lovers, the world at large and himself. It is honest and personal, his voice breaking on "Bad Blood Better," the electronic twitches of earlier work reappearing under signature blazing guitars on"MM17." Mould appraises the perils of easy self-distraction on "Wasted World" and is not afraid to get explicit on "Argos." The emotional and musical centerpiece of the record, "I'm Sorry Baby, But You Can't Stand In My Light Anymore," is an unflinching look at the sorrow and regret that comes at the end of love.

A follow up to 2008's District Line, which Stephen Thomas Erlewine at All Music Guide called "a consolidation of Mould's considerable strengths, an album that showcases his gifts as a writer and record-maker, one that touches upon almost every phase of his career, yet it's filtered through a maturity that feels vital because of its unadorned honesty," Bob Mould's new release highlights an artist completing a circle decades in the making, his talent undiminished, his perspective revitalized.

ANTI- RECORDS LOOKS BACK AT AN OUTSTANDING 2008

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:12:00 -0800

Releases from NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS, JOLIE HOLLAND, MAN MAN Hailed as Career Bests, MAVIS STAPLES Captures a Moment in Time on Live Recording, MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD Crack the Top 40 for the First Time

Billy Bragg Mr Love & Justice - in this momentous election year, the man who has dedicated his life and music to political action gave us his most intimate and introspective record yet, without losing the passion that has characterized this beloved firebrand 's career.

• "Classic Bragg: frequently fantastic folk-rock that keeps both the faith and your attention." -Village Voice
• "Rather than being a return to form, it 's a leap forward in maturity, depth and nuance." -Paste

Bob Mould District Line - It is near impossible to calculate the level of impact or influence that Bob Mould has had on the last two decades of modern rock, from the Pixies to Nirvana, to Green Day to Daft Punk. District Line combines the fire of Mould's earliest work in Husker Du, the accessibility of his alternative rock, genre-defining trio Sugar, and the introspection found in his solo releases.

• "District Line is a ¬focused, gripping zigzag between fury and woe, scorched rock and folk-pop distress, much like the Hüskers' best records--now with a longer view." -Rolling Stone

• "He's rarely been more compelling." -Spin

DeVotchKa A Mad and Faithful Telling - 2008 found the Denver indie band -- who beautifully combines Eastern European bohemia with American prairie rock and south of the border melodies -- coming into their own with sold out tours, festival appearances at Coachella, Lollapalooza and Red Rocks, and a record that charmed everyone from the Eastern bloc (a rare appearance in Moscow) to the online community (the much-discussed use of a DeVotchKa track on the Gears of War trailer)

• "Huge indie−rock anthems and lute−driven ballads defined by infallible melodies, heartbreaking arrangements, and dark, funny lyrics. It leaves you wondering whether to weep or dance." -Esquire

• "Cheerful, eclectic lunacy with a heart as big as the world * * * * " -Spin

Islands Arm 's Way - the 2008 release found the young, critically-acclaimed Montreal sextet heading in a surprising new direction. Their 2006 release, Return to the Sea, was heralded as a stunning work of impulsive outbursts and emotional explorations. Arm's Way saw the band naturally evolving a more lavish yet centered sound that showcased songwriter Nick Thorburn's astounding talent.

• "Freaky, transcendent stuff." -Filter

• "A rich tapestry of pop from a band that has fully coalesced under his [Nick Thorburn] self-proclaimed benevolent dictatorship. Their latest Arm 's Way is a sophisticated, majestic and visceral journey into the limelight." -Village Voice

Jolie Holland the Living and the Dead - the young songwriter with the incomparable voice adds rock n roll to her impressive resume that already includes folk and country and jazz on her third studio album with help from co-producer M. Ward and guitarist Marc Ribot (Tom Waits, Elvis Costello). The results are hailed as a career best from critics and widely embraced by fans.

• "Jolie Holland's voice beguiles like something from an old 78.... she channels the folky, sultry, blues Joni Mitchell trademarked and conjures her own stunning takes on lost lovers and sly approaches." -Elle

• "Her fourth - and perhaps best - album foregoes the smoky speakeasy atmosphere of 2006 's Springtime Can Kill You for a more contemporary roots sound, which provides a more evocative backdrop for her signature vocals." -Paste

Lyrics Born Everywhere At Once - not just the title of Lyric Born's Anti Records debut but a statement about this most industrious multi-tasker's vida loca. The lyricist, producer, label exec, and non-stop live performer (2008 saw world tours, festival appearances and television gigs) never rests on his laurels and is always changing sh*t up and Everywhere is a perfect example: bored with the drum machine and over licensing rights, LB gathered a crew of top musicians and made a real live record, full of funk and feel, grooves and guts, topped off with Lyrics Born's unmistakable signature smoothness and loquacious flow.

• "Near-perfect party record...propelled by sweet soul melodies and rumbling funk grooves reminiscent of the Gap Band and the Ohio Players…crunchy, unstoppable beats that will have you coming back from more." - Mother Jones

• "On his second solo album, he sounds transformed - festive and celebratory, his smarts undiminished." -Vibe

Man Man Rabbit Habits - Part swampy juke joint brawlers, part smooth Philly warehouse doo-wop crooners, with a sprinkling of wild-eyed, demon-haunted art hustler, and a hint of punky kindergarten playroom Pollyannas, Man Man brought their incomparable vision of "pop music" to bear with Rabbit Habits. 2008 saw the roustabouts on tour non-stop with labelmate Tim Fite, indie darlings Yeasayer and at every festival ever conceived (Coachella, Bumbershoot, SD Street Scene, ACL, Voodoo)

• "While the band still has its head in the clouds, or beyond, it has made its finest, most listenable album to date." -Filter

• "One of the year's best rock albums (devoid of nearly any guitar parts, mind you)." -Pitchfork

Mavis Staples Live: Hope at the Hideout - Mavis Staples saw her life 's work singing alongside Dr King and marching for civil rights redeemed with the 2008 election results, and suddenly this live record, full of gospel classics and freedom songs, is a testament to the uplifting hope and certainty of success that has marked her 50+ year career.

• "Whether fronting the Staples Singers or on her own, Mavis Staples has always fared best in a live environment, where her powerhouse of a voice can take any lyric and transform it into an inspirational anthem…this is Mavis Staples at her fiery best." -Relix

• "She sat in at lunch counters and marched with King..now Mavis' marvelous new Live: Hope at the Hideout revisits that era with personal recollections and brilliantly evoked songs from (or recast for) the movement... if this concert doesn't get your heart pumping, check your pulse." -Philadelphia Daily News

Michael Franti & Spearhead All Rebel Rockers - 2008 saw some well-deserved recognition for the indefatigable Micheal Franti and Spearhead. Their sixth studio album cracked the Billboard Top 40 (debuting at #39) for the first time. They drew an unprecedented 70,000+ fans and activists to Michael 's Power to the Peaceful festival in San Francisco and closed out the acclaimed KCRW World Music festival at the Hollywood Bowl, keeping the 17,000-strong crowd dancing through the set. Television appearances, 130 tour dates, film festivals and more kept the hardest working band in rock cheerfully occupied for the year.

• "An album of shimmying, pop-reggae…it 's a well deserved holiday in the sun." -Rock Sound

• "More specific, hopeful, and incendiary than ever....All Rebel Rockers represents his most canny mixture of political topicality and musical accessibility." -Utne Reader

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! - if there was a single record that came out to universal acclaim this year, Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! is definitely a top contender. Nick and mates kicked off the year as Plug Impact Award honorees, and high profile nominations from the Q Awards and Mojo and two wins at the Austrailian Age awards (Best Band and Best Album) fueled the international recognition. The record has already made the "Best Of" lists of Blender, Mojo, The Guardian UK, The Times UK, Uncut and Paste magazines. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds have been tapped to curate the inaugural Australian All Tomorrow 's Parties, their Hollywood Bowl performance was one of the shows of the year and Nick talked smack with Terry Gross on NPR 's "Fresh Air." It was a very good year.

• "The album is a triumph from first to last." -Observer Music Monthly

• "t's not every goth-punk fiend who can celebrate his fiftieth birthday with an album as loud, filthy and brilliant as Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!!" -Rolling Stone

One Day As A Lion One Day As A Lion - the reemergence of the year was less about Axl Rose and all about Zack de la Rocha. His incendiary partnership with Jon Theodore in One Day As A Lion set the music community aflame with some of the most aggressive and original recordings heard all year. The two are currently at work on their full-length release, coming soon.

• "Wrathful and unyielding, the music pushes Rage's revolutionary essence further into the faces of listeners, eliminating any chance at misinterpreting these calls to arms as mere boogie-down rock." - LA Times

• "One Day as a Lion bristles with the street-level vigor that band [RATM] once embodied." - Time Out New York

• "There isn't any filler here; it's all the aural ignition of a gasoline bomb going off in your ears." -All Music Guide

Tim Fite Fair Ain 't Fair - Fair Ain't Fair is a collection of the most seasoned, reflective and charming work the genre-defying Tim Fite has ever produced. On it he growls about greed and avarice, topics manifest in last year's Over The Counter Culture (the acclaimed, free, web-only release which has topped 100,000 downloads this month), but told here with more empathy, more human-ness - perhaps signs of a deeply engaged artist growing up.

• "His new album confirms that this enigmatic, genre-bending songwriter is one of rock ‘n ' roll 's most subversive renaissance men." - Esquire

• "One of those albums that defies anyone to categorize or ignore it." - Chicago Tribune

Xavier Rudd Dark Shades of Blue - dusky and cool, the album is more sober than any work Xav has ever done, though it should not be mistaken for temperate. Guitar-driven jams, mixed by Joe Barresi (Tool, Queens of the Stone Age), expand on a sound only hinted at on previous releases, and distortion often supplants the pretty jangly guitars heard on earlier work. Xav spent 2008 touring the world and scoring surf films like Matthew McConaughey 's comedy Surfer, Dude and the documentaries Highwater and Between the Lines.

• "Occasionally I encounter a work that so eloquently describes the human condition that my futile attempts to capture its essence in a review seem almost absurd. This album is one such work. Xavier Rudd's Dark Shades of Blue is an absolute tour de force and unequivocally his most powerful work to date." -Jambase

ANTI- Records Looks Back at a Stellar 2008 and Hints at 2009 with Free New Sampler

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:11:00 -0800

Featuring Brand-New Tracks from N.A.S.A, Ramblin Jack Elliott and William Elliott Whitmore

ANTI- Records launched its new 08/09 music sampler today on-line via the ANTI- blog and in stores with dozens of participating independent retailers around the country. In a special promotion running through the holidays, local music retailers will be offering the newest releases from ten of ANTI's latest and greatest artists for under $10. With purchase, the buyer will receive a copy of the new ANTI- sampler, or it can be downloaded for free directly from the ANTI- blog.

It is both a look back at a spectacular 2008, which saw releases from artists such as Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Jolie Holland and Michael Franti & Spearhead called "career bests," and a look into the New Year, including the following:

• "Spacious Thoughts" - N.A.S.A (featuring Tom Waits and Kool Keith)

From masterminds Squeak E Clean (Sam Spiegel) and DJ Zegon (Ze Gonzales) comes the first track from the highly anticipated debut release The Spirit Of Apollo (out Feb 17 2009). The record - which pairs indie darlings such as Karen O, Santogold, the Cool Kids and M.I.A, with hip hop stars like Kanye West, Chuck D, KRS-One and Ghostface Killah - takes the "less is more" concept and turns it on its head, layering up to four famous voices over vintage Brazilian funk tracks and turntable wizardry.

• "Old Devils" - William Elliott Whimore

Iowa's own son of the soil William Elliott Whitmore premieres his first track off his ANTI- debut Animals in the Dark (out Feb 17 2009). With the old-soul voice of a master country blues balladeer and a devoted following in the punk, folk and indie rock worlds, Will captures the imagination with his raw, populist songs, seemingly untouched by pop culture.

• "Soul Of A Man" - Ramblin' Jack Elliott

He stole James Dean's girl, listened for two days while Jack Keroac read him On the Road and taught Dylan everything he knew, now Ramblin' Jack Elliott is trying something new: lending his plaintive drawl to Depression-era blues classics. Produced by Joe Henry (Elvis Costello, Solomon Burke, Bettye LaVette), the new album also features guest appearances from David Hidalgo (Los Lobos, Tom Waits) and Van Dyke Parks. Out April 7.

2009 will also see new releases from Neko Case, Bob Mould and the legendary Booker T Jones, of Booker T and the MGs fame.

Anti- Records 08/09 Sampler tracklisting:
01. "Mexico City" - Jolie Holland
02. "Pieces Of You" - Islands
03. "Say Hey (I Love You)" - Michael Franti & Spearhead
04. "Whispers" - Lyrics Born
05. "Freedom Highway" - Mavis Staples
06. "Big Mistake" - Tim Fite
07. "Rabbit Habits" - Man Man
08. "Spacious Thoughts" (feat. Tom Waits & Kook Keith) - N.A.S.A.
09. "DIG, LAZARUS, DIG!!!" - Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds
10. "Old Devils" - William Elliott Whitmore
11. "Freedom" - Billy Bragg
12. "Real Estate" - Cadence Weapon
13. "This World As We Know It" - Xavier Rudd
14. "Very Temporary" - Bob Mould
15. "Friend For Life" - Ersi Arvizu
16. "New World" - DeVotchKa
17. "Soul Of A Man" - Ramblin' Jack Elliott

Participating retailers:
STINKWEEDS - Phoenix, AZ
Zia - Phoenix, AZ
BOO BOO RECORDS - San Luis Obispo, CA
Fingerprints - Long Beach, CA
Lou's Records - Encinitas, CA
M-THEORY - San Diego, CA
Rasputin - San Francisco, CA
Rhino/Mad Platter - Claremont, CA
Salzer's - Ventura, CA
Streetlight - San Jose, CA
Twist and Shout - Denver, CO
EXILE ON MAIN ST - Branford, CT
Rainbow Books Music - Newark, DE
CD Connection - Jacksonville, FL
Central Square - Santa Rosa, FL
Park Avenue CD - Orlando, FL
Uncle Sam's Miami Beach, FL
VINYL FEVER - TAMPA - Tampa, FL
CRIMINAL RECORDS - Atlanta, GA
CRIMINAL/AURORA - Atlanta, GA
Record Exchange - Boise, ID
Indy CD & Vinyl - Indianapolis, IN
LANDLOCKED MUSIC - Bloomington, IN
LUNA MUSIC - Indianapolis, IN
Kief's - Lawrence, KS
CD CENTRAL - Lexington, KY
earX-tacy - Louisville, KY
Newbury Comics - Boston, MA
Bull Moose - Portland, ME
ROCK-A-BILLYS - Utica, MI
Electric Fetus - Minneapolis, MN
VINTAGE VINYL - St Louis, MO
Schoolkids - Raleigh, NC
Homer's - Omaha, NE
Lakeshore Record - Rochester, NY
Looney Tunes - West Babylon, NY
Record Archive - Rochester, NY
CULTURE CLASH - Toledo, OH
Finders Records - Bowling Green, OH
Magnolia Thunderpussy - Columbus, OH
SHAKE IT - Cincinnati, OH
Guestroom Records - Norman, OK
Guestroom Records - OKC, OK
CD World - Eugene, OR
JACKPOT RECORDS - Portland, OR
JACKPOT RECORDS - Portland, OR
Music Millennium - Portland, OR
Earshot - Greenville, SC
52.5 - Charleston, SC
Disc Exchange - Knoxville, TN
GRIMEY'S - Nashville, TN
Cactus - Houston, TX
END OF AN EAR - Austin, TX
GOOD RECORDS - Dallas, TX
Waterloo - Austin, TX
SLOW TRAIN - Salt Lake City, UT
Plan 9 - Richmond, VA
Pure Pop - Burlington, VT
Easy Street - Seattle, WA
HOT POOP - Walla Walla, WA
SONIC BOOM - Seattle, WA
SONIC BOOM - Seattle, WA
ATOMIC RECORDS - Milwaukee, WI

Bob Mould European Tour

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:04:00 -0700

Bob Mould is set to play the Phoenix/WFNX Best Music Poll 2008 with Death Cab for Cutie on May 10th, and then head to Europe for a two week tour.

Tour Dates:
May 23, 2008, Glasgow, Scotland @ ABC
May 24, 2008, Manchester, England @ Academy 2
May 26, 2008, Birmingham, England @ Academy 2
May 27, 2008, London, England @ Koko
May 28, 2008, Paris, France @ Cafe De La Danse
May 30, 2008, Barcelona, Spain @ Primavera Sound Festival
June 02, 2008, Frankfurt, Germany @ Batschkapp
June 03, 2008, Cologne, Germany @ Luxor
June 04, 2008, Hambury, Germany @ Ubel & Gefahrlich
June 05, 2008, Amsterdam, Holland @ Melkweg
June 07, 2008, Berlin, Germany @ Postbahnhof