- Audio CD (15 Jan 2001)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Label: Creation
- ASIN: B0000251NW
- Other Editions: Audio CD
- Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 138,240 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Description
From Amazon.com
He may have decided to go off into that good night, but he isn't going gently. Bob Mould, who raged with Hüsker Dü, arguably one of the bands that defined the sound of alternative music, declared this to be his last electric album and tour. What next: a rocking chair? Doubtful. Despite his quieter moments with Hüsker Dü, his symphonic excesses with his solo records, and his flirtation with power pop with Sugar, at heart Mould is a punk rocker, his signature the throaty roar he muscles out of his guitar. The Last Dog and Pony Show captures this mighty artist at the peak of his power on songs such as the rumbling "Moving Trucks" and the massive "First Drag of the Day." So why the sendoff? Perhaps we're offered a hint on the absolutely terrible electronica cut "Megamaniac" that sounds completely out of place amid the guitar fury. Not a misstep, perhaps, but a warning. --Tod Nelson
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
From his work in alternative rock innovators Husker Du, through the more radi-friendly Sugar, and four solo albums, Bob Mould has touched on the best of punk, folk, power-pop and modern rock, influencing countless artists in the process. Dave Grohl is one of his most famous fans, and its hard to imagien the Foos without Husker Du having existed. This 1998 album was his last fully-electric one before a long hiatus, recently ended with soem electronic dabblings.
Its a respectable but unspectacular signoff. It starts quite well with New #1, a strangely addictive acoustic number which lacks a chorus in the traditional sense, but packs some punch as it builds. Taking Everything is the highpoint, an obvious single with a catchy refrain.
Skintrade also stands out, as does Classifieds, with its cynical analysis of looking for a partner in classified columns. Like all Bob's songs about relationships, the lyrics aren't gender-specific, due undoubtedly to Bob being perhaps punk's first openly gay star. There is a more sensitive string-laden Along the Way to close, but less impressive is the techno noodling of Megamanic, with parody lyrics and a vocal sample sounding suspiciously like Des Lynam.
Although not bad, and worth ahivng in the collection, it can't be recommended as a starting point. Try Sugar's Copper Blue for a poopier sound, or Bob's self titled solo album, but for the real Husker Du deal, it has to be New Day Rising.
Format:Audio CD
A guitar genius is at work here people, this man does not needan effects rack the length of whales teeth, he is a natural master of the guitar. If guitar driven music is what you're after look no further. This is Bob starting with some acoustic strumming 'New #1' to open the album up, now some fans of the old Du days and of course Sugar may get put of slightly but sit back relax and wait for it. He kicks in with great tunes like 'First Drag of the Day' and followed by 'Megamanic', if this is one of the last offerings from Bob he leaves as he came, in style. Thank you Bob.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
33 reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
After Workbook, Bob's Second Best Solo Album...
27 Aug 2000
Format:Audio CD
Some people are never happy. When the last Sugar album, FU:EL, came out, they said Bob sold out. Then he puts out the uncommercial, ultra-personal Hubcap album and they said he's too dark. So he goes back, more or less, to the Sugar formula and they say he's uninspired. The guy can't win. He's been fighting various public opinions since Husker Du broke up, and for the most part, I think he's done a pretty good job of sticking to his own vision, regardless of what fickle Amazon reviewers think.
Sugar fans will find plenty to devour here from "New #1" (a clone of "The Act We Act" from Copper Blue), "Classifieds", "Moving Trucks", and "Sweet Serene", all of which easily could be leftovers from the Sugar era. All fantastic stuff, though I prefer the quiet-to-loud, angry "Who Was Around?" and "Skintrade", awash in swirling guitars and vocals (imagine Brian Wilson producing My Bloody Valentine). Definitely two of his better songs, no matter what Bob era you consider. And the more acoustic numbers "Vaporub" and the stunning "Along The Way" remind us Bob doesn't have to yell all the time to make good music. Didn't anyone here buy Workbook?
Now, not everything here works. "First Drag Of The Day" wears on you after repeated listenings and "Megamanic"... What can I say about "Megamanic"? I guess the best thing to say is that Bob's entitled to go off on his own from time to time. I think he's earned it. But, really, it just isn't good. It's the virtual definition of a b-side. Then again, Bob said "Megamanic" basially saved the album and if this truly is what saved The Last Dog and Pony Show, then God bless "Megamanic".
Not his best album, but definitely worth your time.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Parting is always such sweet sorrow
30 Jun 2000
Format:Audio CD
Bob Mould is through with the classifieds. He's also done making electric guitar music, deservedly so after doing it so splendidly for many years. Though it's an electric beast at times, "The Last Dog and Pony Show" is a bit tamer than past Mould work and does nothing to reinvent the wheel. The energy on this album sort of comes and goes, and in some spots it comes off as a bit like business as usual -- but that's forgivable. "Dog and Pony" is a surprisingly "hit-oriented" album, quite accessible yet lyrically personal in many spots. In fact, some of the slower acoustic tunes begin in an adult contemporary-sounding fashion, before that textured rhythm guitar properly kicks in. The crystal-clear acoustic guitar work that Mould has become known for is always a treasure to hear, but it's his wall-of-sound electric guitars that often get things cooking in the right direction.
From the start, tunes like "New #1," "Moving Trucks" and "Taking Everything" display Mould's intense self-introspection in dealing with life and relationships gone bad. These songs remind you that, lyrically, Mould is always ambitious. His vocals, meanwhile, are as satisfingly blustering as the enveloping guitars that surround him. Undoubtedly, this is what addicted me, and so many others, to Mould's sound during the early 1990s and before that. "First Drag of the Day" and "Classifieds" have that sweetly melodic Sugar sound so reminiscent of the early '90s. "Skin Trade" features grandly strummed guitar chords with accompanying sad lyrics. Nothing, however, tops the driving "Sweet Serene," one of the best songs Mould has put out, musically and lyrically, a song that truly reflects his personality and ability to grab listeners.
Perhpas one song tops "Sweet Serene," though. That would be the beautiful final track, "Along the Way." With a properly placed, heartwrenching cello, a sparkling acoustic guitar with edge and Mould's unflinching lyrics, this is truly a great tune. Not that Mould's integrity was ever in doubt, but the lyrics of "Along the Way" only enhance that feeling. Though Mould does things his own way, he also recognizes people and feels a lot of pain and confusion around him. "Along the Way" is a universal tune that should be played for anyone who wants to live in a more honest world. More honest with each other, more honest to those around us. To Mould, it seems that being true to yourself and displaying the utmost integrity is ultimately the name of the game. If he truly does go strictly acoustic after this record, it will be hard to top songs like "Along the Way."
From the start, tunes like "New #1," "Moving Trucks" and "Taking Everything" display Mould's intense self-introspection in dealing with life and relationships gone bad. These songs remind you that, lyrically, Mould is always ambitious. His vocals, meanwhile, are as satisfingly blustering as the enveloping guitars that surround him. Undoubtedly, this is what addicted me, and so many others, to Mould's sound during the early 1990s and before that. "First Drag of the Day" and "Classifieds" have that sweetly melodic Sugar sound so reminiscent of the early '90s. "Skin Trade" features grandly strummed guitar chords with accompanying sad lyrics. Nothing, however, tops the driving "Sweet Serene," one of the best songs Mould has put out, musically and lyrically, a song that truly reflects his personality and ability to grab listeners.
Perhpas one song tops "Sweet Serene," though. That would be the beautiful final track, "Along the Way." With a properly placed, heartwrenching cello, a sparkling acoustic guitar with edge and Mould's unflinching lyrics, this is truly a great tune. Not that Mould's integrity was ever in doubt, but the lyrics of "Along the Way" only enhance that feeling. Though Mould does things his own way, he also recognizes people and feels a lot of pain and confusion around him. "Along the Way" is a universal tune that should be played for anyone who wants to live in a more honest world. More honest with each other, more honest to those around us. To Mould, it seems that being true to yourself and displaying the utmost integrity is ultimately the name of the game. If he truly does go strictly acoustic after this record, it will be hard to top songs like "Along the Way."
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Oh, come on......
10 May 1999
Format:Audio CD
Oh, come on Californian music fan, you can't be hearing the same cd i've been listening to for the last 6 months. This cd easily matches Copper Blue and beats the somewhat leaden Black Sheets Of Rain hands down. Moving Trucks, Who was Around and Skintrade are classic Mould tunes. Its so good to hear him having fun after the dour, harsh soundscapes of the 'hubcap' cd and the way Moving Trucks shifts up a gear for the insistent refrain at the end reminds me why Bob Mould is my all-time favourite songwriter/performer. Hopefully his plans to go down a more acoustic road in the future will bring us another masterpiece like Workbook but in the interim this will do just fine.
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