Bob Mould’s work represents an epoque of heightened, timeless rock and roll

The ability to facilitate encounters between the raw edges of punk-rock and classic songwriting is a standalone feat of his, and one that marks him out as one of music’s all-time greats.

Having fronted the authentic punk trio Hüsker Dü in the ‘80s, Bob Mould also released solo albums in abundance. Throughout the ‘90s he would go on to front the vibrant alternative-rock unit Sugar, and enjoying considerable commercial success in the process.

But despite the strong affiliation with punk-rock and distortion, he did at least on one occasion, describe himself as a “sucker to great pop music”, and this evidently continues to be a recurring attribute throughout Mould’s lengthy and expansive repertoire.

Released by Demon Music Group, “Distortion: 1989-2019” chronicles Bob Mould and Sugar releases. The gigantic anthology – including a total of 295 tracks - are compiled here for the first time to show the songwriter’s live and studio work over four decades, incorporating 18 studio albums, four live albums and two albums of collaborations and rare, special treats.

“It’s called “Distortion” because it describes the music and it fits the world we live in”, explains Mould. “In this new age, everybody shares their life in real time. But I’m not done yet. If I didn’t have a constantly active career, this anthology might feel like a proverbial dirt landing on top of my coffin – though somehow I seem to be able to crawl my way out of the dirt every time!”

He certainly does that – and more! Having inspired iconic bands such as Nirvana and The Pixies and subsequently collaborated with Dave Grohl and many others, Mould now finds himself right at the cusp of a new decade in music, and this release spectacle signifies his majestic and prolific journey to date, planting the seeds of what’s to come, all structured in chronological running order.

His debut solo release 1989’s Workbook provides a model intro. Initially, heartbroken following the split of his beloved Hüsker Dü, the guitarist found a new lease of life in the company of bassist Tony Maimone and drummer Anton Fier. A loud band for sure, it represented a creative turning point, and it would in fact become the moment he is said to have “turned his back on punk.”

Also appearing are snapshots of experimentation and DJing represented by electronica project “Blowoff” from 2006, suitably providing a nice contrast with Sugar’s more traditional sound on tracks like “Vapourub” with the serene steel guitars, the dynamic “Sweet Serene” and the intriguing weirdness of “Megamanic”, all taken from the iconic “Copper Blue”.

The assortment of “Besides” uncovers an absorbing blend of songs in and around 1995. It is an upbeat injection of tracks and includes the likes of “If I Can’t Change Your Mind”, the raucous, instrumental “Clownmaster” and BBC Radio session recordings of “The Slim” and “Hoover Dam” to name a few.

Mould does wear his heart on his sleeve. A look at his discography shows the connection between biographical events and how these often are depicted in his creative work. For example, 2014’s “Beauty & Ruin” deals with his father’s death, and in a similar style, “Patch the Sky” from 2016 tackles the death of his mother, while also marking the time spent in Berlin with his partner. Some of the classic songwriting on “Life and Times” deals with being gay something, which he kept to himself throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s.

The intensity, vibrancy and energy of Bob Mould’s work remain a definitive force to be reckoned with. Honest and strong-willed, the diverse offering collated on Distortion: 1989-2019 stands the test of time. Getting the chance to revisit this golden journey is a joyous and unforgettable experience.