Spurred by rave reviews, a blistering performance of “The Descent” on The Late Show With David Letterman and more, Bob Mould’s new Silver Age (Merge) has crashed into the Billboard 200 at #50, selling nearly 7000 units in the week since its September 4 release and marking Bob’s highest chart debut since Sugar’s File Under: Easy Listening nearly 20 years ago.
Bob’s current Silver Age/Copper Blue tour is faring similarly well, resuming tomorrow with a two-night stand at Chicago’s Metro, the first of which has sold out in advance. Bob is backed on the tour by drummer Jon Wurster (Superchunk, The Mountain Goats) and bassist Jason Narducy (Split Single, Verbow), both of whom recorded Silver Age with him.
In addition to its strong chart debut, Silver Age continues to generate some of the best critical notices of Bob’s storied career, some of the latest including:
“Mould’s ninth studio album isn’t merely for die-hards and apologists. This is all brawny guitars, power-pop melodies and unflagging drums.”–THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
“a brisk power-trio album that compresses 10 tracks into 38 no-time-to-mess-around minutes… It’s acerbic, anthemic and fiesty, as if Mould were tapping his countless disciples, from Foo Fighters to No Age, on the shoulder before throwing a knockout punch.”–THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE
“while there is much to admire about Mould’s penchant for taking risks and shifting creative course, no fan would complain if he simply delivered euphoric power-pop knockouts like ‘The Descent‘, ‘Briefest Moment’, and ‘Keep Believing’ in perpetuity… as a showcase of a seasoned master in his element, Silver Age’s bounty of direct, distorto-pop hits measures up to Mould’s gold standard.”–PITCHFORK
“his most thunderous, unrelenting and immensely satisfying new album in decades. Silver Age” packs the visceral punch of prime Hüsker Dü, the sugar rush hooks of Mould’s early-’90s albums with Sugar and the introspection of his underrated solo work… The greatest thing about Silver Age, besides the fact that it exists, and there’s not a bad song on it, is that it’s the sort of album veterans like the now-51-year-old Mould usually don’t make anymore… Silver Age isn’t just one of the great rock records of the year. It’s like seeing a ghost.”–THE WASHINGTON POST
All Silver Age/Copper Blue headline dates feature Bob celebrating the 20th anniversary of Sugar’s Copper Blue by playing it front to back, as well showcasing the new Silver Age material alongside an ever-changing grab bag of Husker Du, Sugar and Mould solo classics. The tour will continue through an October 30 headline date at Los Angeles’ famed El Rey Theater, after which Bob and the band will play a November 2 Copper Blue set at the Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin TX.
For further information, review tickets, photo passes, etc., please contact Steve Martin and Perri Cohen at nasty little man perri@nastylittleman.com
09/13/12 – Chicago, IL – Metro (SOLD OUT)
09/14/12 – Chicago, IL – Metro
09/15/12 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
09/18/12 – Seattle, WA – Showbox
09/19/12 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
09/21/12 – San Francisco, CA – Fillmore
09/23/12 – Pensacola Beach, FL @ DeLuna Fest
10/30/12 – Los Angeles, CA – El Rey
11/02/12 – Austin, TX – Fun Fun Fun Fest (BOB MOULD PLAYS COPPER BLUE)