Bob Mould at First Ave
Posted on March 6th, 2008 – 10:59 AMBy Chris Riemenschneider
As he tore through the opening duo “The Act We Act” and “A Good Idea,” same way he started his last First Ave gig with a band (and the beginning to Sugar’s “Copper Blue” album), Bob had me thinking he was mostly going to rehash the previous tour. But he stopped short of playing “Changes,” instead inserting “I Hate Alternative Rock” as the third song, and he continued to drop in other pleasant surprises throughout the 100-minute show.
Bob made a good case that his stuff of the last decade matches his stuff from the previous decade and a half. “Moving Trucks,” which kicked off the second encore, ranks among his best, and the version of ”Egoveride” that followed was roaring. The best of his new tracks was “Again and Again,” which he and the band lifted from a dirge on record to an epic rocker on stage.
Of course, the older stuff was still great to hear, especially “Divide & Conquer,” from Husker Du’s “Flip Your Wig” album. Frankly, I’d have rather heard other old nuggets like that instead of the standards “Chartered Trips” and “Could You Be the One?” (although, surprisingly, he didn’t play “Makes No Sense”). Also, more from the “Workbook”/”Black Sheets of Rain” era would’ve been nice. But hopefully he’ll be doing plenty more tours like this to sprinkle all that in eventually.
Here’s the set list below. Let us know what you thought of the show.
The Act We Act* / A Good Idea* /I Hate Alternative Rock / See a Little Light / Hoover Dam* / I Am Vision, I Am Sound / The Silence Between Us / Very Temporary / Miniature Parade / Your Favorite Thing* / Again and Again / Circles / Paralyzed / Can’t Help You Anymore* / ?? / I Apologize** / Celebrated Summer** / Divide & Conquer**
Encore 1: Hardly Getting Over It** / Could You Be the One?** / Chartered Trips**
Encore 2: Moving Trucks/ Egoveride / If I Can’t Change Your Mind**
*= Sugar song **= Husker Du song (all the rest are solo tracks)
4 Responses to "Bob Mould at First Ave"
What? How did I completely miss hearing about this show? I need to stop focusing on only serious things, I guess. I was just thinking the other day how Bob needs to swing through Minneapolis.
Does anyone have a time machine available for use? I’m embarrassed.
Good show. The Husker set was probably the highlight, and came just when I thought he was going to not play any of that stuff.
Bob has said in the past that a Husker Du reunion doesn’t do anything for him, because he isn’t an angry 25 year old gay man living in Reagan’s America. However, given the energy he put into “I Apologize,” I think he might be selling himself short. Short of a Husker Du reunion, I’d like to see him play a full set of Husker songs using his current band.
The song listed as “??” was “Surveyors and Cranes” a song that was on the second disc of the deluxe limited edition of his “Body of Song” CD.
Matty, music IS a serious thing! Forget about your taaxes or rent or whatever, MUSIC IS NO. 1…and movies too! But don’t worry, Bob Mould will be back soon.
