A classic story of individualism and persistence, "See a Little Light" is an open account of the rich history of Mould, guitarist for the the band ...
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Aug 18, 2011
RandomAnthony
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Bob Mould's See A Little Light is a substantial, revelatory memoir. I can say, without hyperbole, I hope, that the author is one of my most enduring music heroes. At sixteen I stumbled upon Flip Your Wig and I've followed his career ever since. Mr. Mould might be the only artist I've seen in concert so many times I've lost track of the total. His Workbook tour performance at Chicago's Metro ranks as one of the best concerts I've ever seen.
Bob Mould was important to me, I think More...
Bob Mould was important to me, I think More...
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Aug 22, 2011
Brendan
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Bought at deep discount whilst picking over Borders' corpse...
I tore through this in a couple of days. Fundamentally, this is the story of how a deeply screwed up young man grows to become a functional and happy middle-aged man. As such, the focus throughout is not so much on the music itself, but on Bob's personal growth. There is some stuff about the music, especially the recording and playing of the music, but Bob pretty much draws a veil over his creative process. I probably would More...
I tore through this in a couple of days. Fundamentally, this is the story of how a deeply screwed up young man grows to become a functional and happy middle-aged man. As such, the focus throughout is not so much on the music itself, but on Bob's personal growth. There is some stuff about the music, especially the recording and playing of the music, but Bob pretty much draws a veil over his creative process. I probably would More...
Sep 02, 2011
Michael
rated it: 
Bob Mould is a brilliant artist, whose songs have been some of my favorites for twenty years. If you read this book hoping for insight into Mould's artistic process or his particular genius, you'll be disappointed.
Mould does discuss the circumstances around the creation of all of his albums, and does reveal the inspiration for many of his songs, but he doesn't try to figure out what separates the great songs from the forgettable ones. The events go by quickly in a "we played More...
Aug 30, 2011
Jason
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You gotta love an autobiography read by the author. It brings a certain level of authenticity. Now, I will admit, I'm not a huge fan of Mould's music. I've heard his name in the music press many times, but never really dug Sugar, and in my early punk days, Husker Du wasn't really my cup of tea either. But reading the promo blurb about the book had me excited to hear about the punk scene in the early 80's.
What I got was a fascinating journey from punk, to rock, to electronic music. O More...
What I got was a fascinating journey from punk, to rock, to electronic music. O More...
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Jul 24, 2011
Mark
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There’s something to be said for remaining an ambiguous mystery. Any time you open your yawp to digress upon personal discovery and your "roots" you’re risking the hearts of countless fans and critics, who are liable to turn sour and recontextualize your entire body of song after you’ve apparently gone simple. So goes it with Bob Mould’s memoir, where a gay man, a major musical talent, finds himself stumbling down the same tedious paths of self-discovery that countless mere humans have
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Jul 06, 2011
Simon
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I've often thought how much fun it would have been to be just a few years older and to live through the early '80s alternative rock boom. Hearing bands like REM, The Replacements, The Smiths, and Husker Du the first time around would have provided enough musical inspiration to make up for a lot of the next thirty years. I came pretty late to Bob Mould, who for a long time was one of those people I listened to because I was supposed to rather than because I actually responded to his music. After
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Oct 21, 2011
Chuck
rated it:
The strength of this book is that it reads as one is sitting on a bar stool next to Bob Mould as he holds forth on his life's fortunes and follies, but this conversational tone also provides the book's weakness. When the direct address works, there is a subtle hint to how Mould's environment shaped his psychology, with insightful commentary on his character, but too often, the observations seem solipsistic. There is little insight into the character of those Mould interacted with in these envi
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Feb 10, 2012
Jesse
rated it:
A strange reading experience, largely because I'm really only a Husker Du fan and didn't know much about Mould's existence beyond that band. As a result, I was rapt through the chapters about HD, but kind of snoozed through the solo-project and Sugar material. Much more interesting to me was the autobiographical searching and the story of Mould's self-discovery not so much as a gay dude but as a non-self-hating gay dude who wanted to be part of a greater gay community after spending most of his
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Jun 24, 2011
Amanda
rated it: 
I knew nothing about Bob Mould other than that he was in Husker Du (who I listened to a bit, but was really before my time), he was in Sugar (who I listened to quite a bit in high school), that he's a fabulously talented solo artist whose shows I've loved attending here in DC, he's gay, loves electronica/dance music, and worked for the WCW. That little bit of knowledge alone made me pretty excited for this book to come out, because I know he must have some good stories to tell. Eclectic, no? At
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Feb 14, 2012
Mark
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Like many rock bios, if you're a fan (I am), you'll be interested; if you're not, the details of Mould's life and times will seem a bit tedious. He's honest enough, presenting the many good and bad decisions he made regarding both Hüsker Dü and Sugar, which explain a good deal about the the creative and business arcs for both of those burn-out-not-fade-away bands. Most of the blowups, backstabbing and throwing-under-the-bus episodes (and there are quite a few) stem directly from his anger (the "
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Feb 12, 2012
Elizabeth
rated it:
Here's my recommendation. Only read the first third of this book. And I don't only say that because it's the Husker Du part. Really. The first third was 5 stars. I love Husker Du and am up and down about his solo stuff. However, that was not the issue with the book. The first part is funny and the rest is just, not. He seems to have given up drinking (though I must say he has a very flexible definition of sober that doesn't seem to include drugs) and lost his sense of humor. Now I can understand
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Jun 26, 2011
Brian
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As far as rock bios go, this is probably one of the better ones. Bob Mould is a fascinating icon from the days of 80s hardcore-punk. Having fronted the band Husker Du, Bob Mould goes into the dirty details with SST Records, his former bandmates, and his many musical transformations. He opens up about his childhood that came with physical and psychological abuse from his father, his struggles with accepting his homosexuality, and his 15 year relationship with his ex, Kevin. There are of course th
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Oct 31, 2011
Mad Dog
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I'm a big fan of Husker Du, I enjoyed reading Bob's recounting and thoughts of the Husker Du years (and pre-Husker Du years). I (along with many others) felt like Bob really found a special venting of frustration through rock and roll. Back in the 80s, I screamed along with Bob. He was a voice for me.
I felt the exhilaration that Bob conveyed when he started living life as who he his without hiding his true nature. That was the peak of this book for me. It culminated his 'trail' from More...
I felt the exhilaration that Bob conveyed when he started living life as who he his without hiding his true nature. That was the peak of this book for me. It culminated his 'trail' from More...
Sep 09, 2011
Caris
rated it:
There are few bands that can claim to have held a pivotal role in the punk rock movement. The Ramones, the Sex Pistols, and the Dead Kennedys (I could go on, though, admittedly not much farther) really put their mark on the sound. You’d be hard pressed to find a contemporary, guitar-driven alt-rock band that didn’t owe something to the legacy they built. I’d always considered myself to be something of a punk rock historian. Unlike most of my peers, I spent a lot of time reading during those form
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Sep 15, 2011
Marc
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First making his name as the guitarist/songwriter in seminal 1980's Midwestern punk legends Husker Du, Bob Mould found continued success with the short-lived but popular band Sugar during the 1990's alternative rock boom and a solo artist in the intervening and subsequent years. Sure, the bookshelves are lousy with memoirs by survivors and stars of the punk era, but several things make Mould's tale worth the telling: Husker's influential body of work and indefatigable work ethic, their improbabl
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Jul 10, 2011
Scott
rated it:
As a fan of Mould's work, I can't really address whether a non-fan would enjoy this comprehensive biography of his life. I came into the book with a solid background of Mould's career; the dramatic questions were already framed for me. Why did Husker Du really break up? What was the story with his brief career in professional wrestling? How did his outing as a homosexual change his course as an artist? All of those topics are covered, and dozens more that I couldn't have guessed.
What More...
What More...
Sep 11, 2011
Myles
rated it:
I usually avoid celebrity autobiography/memoirs, especially modern ones, because they fall very easily into self-satisfied gloating "look how far I've come, I showed them ALL" narratives. The fact of most celebrity lives are that their artistic output is the most interesting thing about them. But See a Little Light came at an opportune time, RA wrote an encouraging review just as my nearby Borders began closing out in the second-wave of Borders store-closings. I couldn't argue with 60%
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Dec 10, 2011
Greg
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I'm marginally interested in Husker Du, the punk band on SST Records in the 1980's and I haven't listened to any of Bob Mould's work past that. I've always liked my punk rock a little more "hardcore." I thought this would be at least an interesting account of punk rock in its glory days, with road stories, what not. I picked the book up in the bookstore and read through Mr. Mould's account of making Zen Arcade, which hooked me.
This isn't a bad book, but unless you're a s More...
This isn't a bad book, but unless you're a s More...
Jul 07, 2011
Conor
rated it:
A decently written book that finally lets the audience in on what was/is going on in the head of one of rock's influential and sometimes enigmatic singers/songwriters/guitarists.
I've had the opportunity to meet the author a few times over the years and he has always been very genuine and generous in person. When it comes to his musical past, however, he seems to have a love/hate relationship with the songs and people involved. In "See a Little Light: The Trail of Rage and Melod More...
I've had the opportunity to meet the author a few times over the years and he has always been very genuine and generous in person. When it comes to his musical past, however, he seems to have a love/hate relationship with the songs and people involved. In "See a Little Light: The Trail of Rage and Melod More...
Oct 21, 2011
Patrick
rated it:
Much as I love Husker Du and Bob's later work, this book is a letdown. Bob provides a little insight into where some of his songs are coming from, and a tiny bit about the recording process, but I don't feel like I learned anything (the chapter on Husker Du in Azerrad's book gives a better sense of the band and its music). The prose is bland, and none of the descriptions ever come to life. It's no surprise that Bob is uncharitable towards his collaborators in Husker Du, but while I understand
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Oct 03, 2011
Joe
rated it:
I got to speak to Terri Gross, the world's foremost interviewer, about this book. She told me that she didn't think it was worth a show because it seemed like a collection of things the author was discussing with a therapist.
That much is true. However, it's worth reading if your life was affected by the music of Hüsker Dü, as mine was. Also of note are how Mould, who says he is aware of his flaws, does not paint a flattering picture of himself as a young man. There seems to be a strong More...
That much is true. However, it's worth reading if your life was affected by the music of Hüsker Dü, as mine was. Also of note are how Mould, who says he is aware of his flaws, does not paint a flattering picture of himself as a young man. There seems to be a strong More...
Jul 09, 2011
Vanessa
rated it:
What I really enjoyed about this book was it was different than any other autobiography by a musician that I've ever read. And it was definitely the most honest autobiography I've ever read by anyone. Bob Mould put his whole life out there - the good and the bad. It was interesting to get insight on his time with one of my favourite bands (Hüsker Dü) but I also enjoyed learning about everything he did after the band too. What I really liked about this book is that it came across as being written
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Jun 17, 2011
Jodi
rated it:
Reading Bob Mould’s autobiography, See a Little Light: The Trail of Rage and Melody, is a little like indulging someone you adore as they tell you about a dream they had about you last night. You listen patiently as they meander through the purple unicorns and how Michael Cera was Bruce from accounting until they get to the good stuff about you.
Of course, you would not put up with such bullshit unless it was someone you really, really adored. Because seriously? Life is too short for More...
Of course, you would not put up with such bullshit unless it was someone you really, really adored. Because seriously? Life is too short for More...
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Jan 12, 2012
Kurt
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Having been in college when Bob Mould's star was at its highest, I was very interested to read this book when I found out about it. I was glad that he spent proportionate amounts of time on each phase of his career. Since I'm much more of a Sugar fan than Husker Du (even though I dig the latter as well), I was somewhat afraid that his first band would get all the attention. Happily, that was not the case. Bob was very up front and honest about pretty much all aspects of his life and career. He a
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Dec 07, 2011
Michael
rated it:
As a long-time fan of Bob Mould and his various bands (Hüsker Dü, Sugar) and solo work, I was familiar enough with his work not to be surprised by large parts of the narrative arc, but some things really jarred me — and put my knowledge of his music in a broader context. I never knew Hüsker Dü when they were around, but it's harsh to read Mould's withering criticisms of talented bandmates (including Grant Hart, who wrote some truly indelible songs) years after the band's acrimonious breakup. Des
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Sep 15, 2011
Eva
rated it:
The adage about maintaining distances from yourself and your heroes has often stopped me from reading autobiographies. Whilst I enjoy Bob Mould's music (although I must admit to not being familiar with his Blowoff work), he's certainly not a hero but I was nevertheless apprehensive about picking this up - do I really want Bob Mould's voice in my head making a remark that stays with me for all the wrong reasons whilst I'm chilling out to Workbook, or listening to Copper Blue on a sunny day, or Hu
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Sep 05, 2011
Kari
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I am more of a Sugar fan than a Husker Du fan. I think if I was more of a Husker Du fan it would have been higher number of stars. It was an interesting read as far a gay man in a punk band and all of the trials and tribulations that may go along with that, as well as having a really messed up childhood which of course translates to a messed up adult life as well. Many of the earlier stories details the inspiration for his earlier work, but some of the book is just an explosion of "we pl
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Jun 17, 2011
Steven
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If, like me, you loved the melodic hardcore of Husker Du in the Eighties and the powerhouse trio Sugar in the Nineties, you'll want to read this memoir by the man who founded both bands. Bob Mould is a thoughtful and articulate man, and when he talks at length about the music he loves best, the book takes flight. There are some nifty glimpses into the hardcore scene, a couple of surprises (Mould got to know Jon Stewart while he was bartending at City Gardens, which is how Mould came to wrote the
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Dec 08, 2011
Mike
rated it:
An interesting autobiography of Bob Mould. This chronicles his rise to indie-rock fame with Husker Du, subsequent solo musical successes, relationship ins and outs, his stint working for World Championship Wrestling, and his forays into electronic music and the gay club and bear scenes. Discussion of his music life and his gay life were what drew me to this book, but I found myself equally interested in his tales of formative childhood experiences and his learning experiences with friendships,
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Sep 09, 2011
Cypherks
rated it:
It's been years since I got a book and could not put it down until I finished it. I've been a huge Husker Du/Sugar/Mould fan for years, but didn't know about this book until today.
I had no idea there were so many sides to Bob Mould, or the whole of the journey he's taken through life. This book is really well written, pulling you along with each chapter. Lots of stories, insights, and notes along the musical path he's been on, plus some very open self-examination/revelation make for a More...
I had no idea there were so many sides to Bob Mould, or the whole of the journey he's taken through life. This book is really well written, pulling you along with each chapter. Lots of stories, insights, and notes along the musical path he's been on, plus some very open self-examination/revelation make for a More...
