Patch the Sky

Bob Mould - Patch the Sky
Critic Score
Based on 24 reviews
2016 Ratings: #138 / 1004
User Score
Based on 64 ratings
2016 Rank: #440
Liked by 3 people
March 25, 2016 / Release Date
LP / Format
Merge / Label
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CRITIC REVIEWS

83
A.V. Club
At 55, Mould has come full circle, returning to his love for massively melodic alt-punk, and his music continues to undercut his age by a sizable margin.
83
Entertainment Weekly
On his 11th solo album, the 55-year-old eminence grise shows he can still flail a six-string better than most kids half his age.
80
Mojo

Following the creative rebirth of 2012’s Silver Age and 2014’s Beauty & Ruin, this is another definitive work.

80
Rolling Stone
Timely? Afraid so. But there's comfort in knowing we're not alone.
80
The Skinny

Direct, honest and powerful, Patch The Sky can only win you over, slowly but surely.

80
The Line of Best Fit
Here, Mould has turned up the contrast between anger and melody, and found some sense of enlightenment.
80
No Ripcord

Where Beauty fiercely captures an emotional cathartic turmoil, attributed to the loss of his father and his dwindling youth, Patch is more about the acceptance of loss and coming to grips with solitude.

80
AllMusic
All this adds up to another midlife triumph from Mould, a record that harks back to his past while completely occupying the present moment, no matter how uncomfortable or painful that may be.
80
PopMatters

Teetering between the crisp production and outright aggression that marked Mould’s short tenure fronting Sugar, Narducy and Wurster push Mould ever closer to coming unhinged on Patch the Sky.

80
musicOMH

Patch The Sky is certainly a difficult listen but it’s not without a odd kind of sweetness – it’s full of grief and bleakness to be sure, but there’s also an exhilarating sense of catharsis to be had.

80
Drowned in Sound

Patch the Sky is undoubtedly the record of someone not only haunted by their past but also the continuing difficulties faced in the present, but it is also a stunning example of Bob Mould’s resolve and ability to channel life, death, love and failure into two sides of meaningful and melodic music.

75
Under the Radar
At well over 50, Mould hasn't lost a step.
75
Consequence of Sound
In this latest chapter of his career, Mould has turned his music into a personal reflecting pool, a watery blank canvas into which he expertly casts the stones of his regrets and longings. Just don’t plan on booking your birthday party there.
70
Pitchfork

Mould still sounds best when he’s articulating anger at a high volume, and Patch the Sky succeeds largely because these songs sound as if they were hardwired to raw nerves.

Z.Younk
63

There are some great moments here that echo husker du and somewhat shoegazey sound, but there's some weak songwriting on a handful.

37

LIKE EATING BREAD AND WATER FOR EVERY MEAL FOR EVERY DAY OF YOUR LIFE. SO BLAND AND TASTELESS.

daFigz
70

I'm with Pitchfork on this rating. As much as I enjoy Mould's work, 'Patch The Sky' neither expands or challenges beyond what he's previously created. Frankly, the autobiographical theme is getting tiresome too. My suggestion: If you crave Hüsker Dü, buy Hüsker Dü. If you crave Sugar, buy Sugar. Otherwise, save your shĕk′əls for more significant releases, past or present. Cheers.

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Track List

  1. Voices in My Head
  2. The End of Things
  3. Hold On
  4. You Say You
  5. Losing Sleep
  6. Pray for Rain
  7. Lucifer and God
  8. Daddy's Favorite
  9. Hands Are Tied
  10. Black Confetti
  11. Losing Time
  12. Monument

Year End Lists

#20/Magnet
#28/Sound Opinions
#40/Diffuser
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Added on: January 11, 2016