To most people who have heard of him, Bob Mould is synonymous with two great American bands (H?sker D? and Sugar) and an anguished, melodic brand of punk. In the past decade or so, however, Mould has appeared to be on the run from his reputation, making some rather strange - and not terrifically good - dance records.
District Line generally finds him back in rock mode, and at least one song, the fraught stomp of Again and Again, is his best in years. Elsewhere, though, the blend of earnest college rock and corny electronic trickery is awkward: not least Mould’s attempts to imitate the effects-laden warble of Cher circa Believe, which may exasperate even his most devoted fans.
(Beggars Banquet)