Even before the post-Nevermind goldrush of the early '90s, Bob Mould was a legend in the alternative rock world.
As frontman of Minesota punk trio Hüsker Dü, whose classic albums such as Zen Arcade and Candy Apple Grey had brought a profound sense of melody and songwriting nous to the US hardcore underground, he was massively influential in inspiring young musicians from Seattle and beyond to pick up instruments and express themselves.
Drug problems, personal issues and exhaustion ended Hüsker Dü prematurely in 1988, whereupon Mould decided to pursue a solo career, opening his account with two excellent albums, 1989’s Workbook and 1990’s Black Sheets of Rain. Both feature his innate talent for a tune - the former leaning in to more acoustic and folk influences, the latter being a more careering rock record - but neither really captured the imagination of the record-buying public, and Mould was subsequently released from his Virgin Records contract. To add insult to injury, Mould later learned that his manager had signed away the publishing rights to his songs without his prior knowledge.
