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From: jtkelleher

Some observations:
- Definately a "silly" show, as Bob stated. I'm not sure if he was in a 
hurry, but he spent very little time talking with the crowd (he didn't 
do a mid-set rap session like in March). He did say something to the 
effect that he finally has reached a point in his life where he likes 
his own music.
- The performances were simply amazing. The new songs kicked my ass. I 
can't wait to hear them recorded. Bob did say that "Along the Way" was 
his favorite. After playing the accoustic ones, he said not to worry; 
that the new album will be loud. He said that he has written 18 tunes, 
but only likes 9, so the record won't be out until next fall (Sadness!).
- He did confirm that this tour was it for a while, and he would be 
touring next with a loud band (good news!) but that he would see us in 
about a year from now (horrible news! I can't wait a year!).

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From: cggriffi

When I see Bob Mould solo acoustic, I kind of expect to be bowled over.
But last night's show at the Paradise still exceeded my expectations.  For
his previous Boston visit there had been cabaret seating (sorely missed -
standing up for 3+ hours is not my idea of fun) and a more relaxed vibe.
This time things were more intense and, in Bob's words, "a little silly".

You want silly?  OK, try this- round about "Sinners and Their Repentences"
the ambient temperature near the stage temporarily dropped to about 50
degrees.  Bob was, to put it mildly, annoyed (remember: he was wearing a
sweat drenched t-shirt) though it probably helped him belt out that
spine-tingling scream in the middle of "Sinners".  Silly event number two:
during the first encore, he gives us an impromptu, noise-drenched guitar
solo at the end of a song.  (I want to say it was "Act We Act" but I don't
recall.)  But I'm getting ahead of myself here...

The night started off with Mary Amsterbergen (and I probably butchered her
last name there).  She was a great contrast to Bob - pretty singing
reminiscent of Julee Cruise and lots of slow/mid-tempo, jangly guitar songs.

Around ten, Bob took the stage and delivered "Wishing Well" in a single
note-perfect blast.  From there it seemed like he was on a roll as he tore
through song after song.

In a gutsy move, he omitted "Hardly Getting Over It" and "Poison Years" -
two songs that used to be the heart of his show - in favor of (gulp) new
songs.  Well usually that's a signal to run don't walk to the nearest fire
exit.  But we're talking about Bob Mould here, not some washed-up has-been
rock star.  The new material was excellent and *very* well-received by the
crowd.  (I doubt the audience at next week's Stones show will be as
receptive to their new product, er, songs.)

Some other standouts (highly subjective of course...the entire set was
fantastic):

- "New #1", leaner and meaner than when we heard it last spring.  Bob
gave an intense and nuanced reading of this one, alternating between
yelling and wounded crooning at the end.  This song seems ready to take its
place next to "Roll Over And Die" and "Explode and Make Up" as one of Bob's
premier bloodletters.  (Now all he needs is a title.)

- "Along the Way".  Two words: I'm hooked.  Particularly impressive since
this is brand-new.  Poppy but driving, in the same vein as "Can't Help You
Anymore".

- "Roll Over And Die".  He just ripped right through this one.  And even
the screams sounded beautiful and melodic.

- "No Reservations".  Thank you Bob, for reading my mind and playing this
song.  I was dying to hear it, and his performance damn near granted my
wish.  Whew.

Bob's intensity and his electric guitar setup hurt two of the new ones -
"First Drag of the Day" and "Reflecting Pool"; they just dissolved in a
haze of harmonic noise.  Cool in a Sonic Youth sort of way, but
frustrating.  But I suspect they'll both sound much better when he returns
to Boston next year, as promised, with a full electric band.  Until then,
another successful and slightly "silly" night for Bob.

-----------------------------------

From: Greg Jamiol

Set List was similar to previous shows in the Mid-East. 
A broken guitar string thwarted an electric version of 'Chartered 
Trips' *aaghh!!*, which I was more than anxiously awaiting.

'See A Little Light' totally smoked, while 'Roll Over and Die' 
unheedingly kicked my behind.

Bob sweated up a storm and then the house air conditioning system 
kicked in, so he requested that all of the house lights be turned on him 
to provide some interim warmth until someone could get to the 
thermostat, lest he catch pnemonia.  " I work hard to be this wet", 
Bob chimed knowingly.

Bob must've felt a chill during one of the songs, because in between 
verses, he leaned back away from the microphone and screamed 
towards the rafters, " Arghh, F**k !!!! ".  Afterwards he remarked,
" It must be 30 degrees up here! ".  I was tempted to pass my leather 
jacket up through the crowd to him.

First time BM-ers noted the vocal stylings of Bob being far different 
from recorded versions; something that BM 'regulars' take for granted.
Couldn't quite fathom first time BM-er Eric from Lotus's post-show 
remark about a Phil Collin's comparison, although he took Bob's haircut 
into account after he made the statement.

Overall, the show was a winner.  There was fantastic attendance and the 
audience was incredibly respectful.  The new material was superb.  The 
next album could be the stuff of legend.

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From: Ken W

> Silly event number two: during the first encore, he gives us an
> impromptu, noise-drenched guitar solo at the end of a song.  (I
> want to say it was "Act We Act" but I don't recall.)  But I'm
> getting ahead of myself here...

If you are talking about what I am thinking, he started to play
Whichever Way The Wind Blows, but stopped.  Fuck!  That would
have been so cool.  Though granted, something would have been
missing there without Tony and Anton.