Book recommendation - Bob Mould's "See A Little Light"

I am a sucker for music biographies. But trust me, Bob Mould's autobiography, See A Little Light - The Trail of Rage and Melody, is as good as they get. It's unflinchingly honest, insightful, and self-depreciating. And Mould has a great story to tell - the rise and collapse of Husker Du and then Sugar captures an incredible legacy of urgent American rock.

There are compelling sub-stories here too - being a gay man in a macho punk rock world; Mould's complex relationship with Husker Du co-leader Grant Hart; navigating the indie label scene with influential SST then moving to major label Warner Bros; riding the wave of being in one of the most respected yet underground bands in America; and being a part of the very fertile 1980s indie rock scene in Minneapolis.

The book is well written with help from Michael Azerrad (author of another must read rock book Our Band Could Be Your Life: Scenes From the American Indie Underground, 1981-1991).

Bob Mould's integrity, always the foundation of his artistry, is captured here. He is never self-aggrandizing about his accomplishments nor defensive about his missteps. He is a terrific storyteller, and of course he compiled a treasure trove of them on the road with Husker Du.

And it's great fun to go behind the scenes to the making of some of best American rock ever - a relentless combination of raw power, catchy melodies and whip smart writing. But Mould's personal history is at times gut wrenching, of course all that rage didn't come out of thin air.

Buy this book.

But first listen to this again:

And this:

The book can be purchased here or better yet, at your local bookstore:

See A Little Light - buy at Amazon.com

Bob Mould's Website