Bob Mould possesses almost limitless energy. As a pivotal figure in American indie rock, his work over five decades (and still ongoing) showcases a vast array of songs, embodying a bold surge of melody. However, even among the towering heights of his discography – particularly with Hüsker Dü and Sugar – his new solo album ‘Here We Go Crazy’ stands strong. Marking his first release in five years, it's a brief yet sometimes intense barrage of ideas, intertwining his pop essence with the guitar heft he's renowned for.
When Clash meets Bob in a modest office at his record label’s London headquarters, he exudes enthusiasm. The previous day saw him visiting Bristol for a quick in-store event, and today he is actively promoting the album, engaging with press and radio during a whirlwind schedule.
“This album was a bit unusual,” he begins. “Due to the pandemic.”
Ah yes, the pandemic. Bob Mould’s last album – the commendably political ‘Blue Hearts’ – was released in Spring 2020.
“Usually, I view my life through the lens of album cycles. I begin writing, record, wait… then release it and tour. It’s during the tour that new material gets blended with the older songs… that’s how I gauge my success.”
“Y’know, during the pandemic I was out of work for a couple of years, so that feedback loop was absent. In early 2021, I began performing solo – electric – shows, and that’s when I started introducing new material to audiences in a live context. And I thought: okay, it’s time!”
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Embracing this energy, Bob Mould began conceptualizing a new album, something direct and playing to his strengths. While his discography spans a broader and quirkier range than many realize – he once lived in Berlin and worked as a DJ – there’s a clear intent to deliver what listeners desire with ‘Here We Go Crazy’.
“It’s a straightforward record written from a personal perspective,” he explains. “If I dissect the album, it almost resembles a play. There’s the soliloquy title track that sets the scene. A few songs address uncertainty. The album’s middle section is quite dark and introspective. Yet the final three tracks are generally brighter, aiming to inject a bit of hope into the story’s conclusion.”
Ah yes, ‘hope’ – a familiar concept. If ‘Blue Hearts’ was “a very direct call-to-action album,” then its follow-up reflects on when America last ousted Trump. Much of ‘Here We Go Crazy’ was created during Biden’s mid-term period, a time when Bob “could see the light at the end of this tunnel.”
“My process for crafting an album involves gathering all my loose notes – shoeboxes, zip lock bags filled with receipts covered in scribbles… or, sadly, now utilizing digital devices. I set aside time to review everything and determine, well, what am I compiling here? What’s the most effective way to present this?”
Bob Mould is deeply committed to the concept of an album – even if he's not always aware of it, his work tends to fill the two sides of a vinyl perfectly. “When you’re working with polyvinyl chloride, it can only genuinely hold about 17 and a half minutes of sound per side. It’s like: paint me a picture… but it can only be this size! Essentially, an album is a photo album with only 12 to 14 images.”
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The irony of shifting from political themes to personal ones while the world seemingly unravels isn't lost on the songwriter. “God forbid I should just have fun with a record!” he chuckles. “I just figured, we’ve all endured this awful situation for a while, perhaps there’s some solace in this. I will say though, the most effective form of protest is to disengage from your phone, go out, and protest… and then you’ll end up on other people’s phones!”
“I merely wanted to create a straightforward record,” he shrugs. “There will be time later for more complex endeavors if I wish. But this was genuinely enjoyable – crafting good, simple melodies, straightforward lyrics, and uncomplicated thoughts.”
Yet perhaps that’s an understatement – ‘Here We Go Crazy’ possesses significant emotional gravity, alongside notable darkness. Dealing with themes of addiction, loss, and survival, it’s a record that may appear brief, but its emotional reach could stretch across San Francisco Bay. “Oh, there’s a touch of reckoning with the past,” he modestly acknowledges, “a glimmer of hope for a brighter future.”
Even though Bob Mould finds himself in a great phase of life – happily married for two years, for instance – he can draw from moments of considerable hardship to inform the record’s darker themes. His compelling memoir recounts a turbulent upbringing with an abusive father, later coping with his inner fears through alcohol
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Bob Mould possesses virtually limitless energy. As a solo pillar of American indie rock, his contributions over five decades (and ongoing) showcase a remarkable array of