Patch the Sky
by Bob Mould
  • Record Label: Merge
  • Release Date: Mar 25, 2016
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 27 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 27
  3. Negative: 3 out of 27
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  1. Prosmooth
    Mar 27, 2016
    9
    His best solo record since Workbook and Black Sheets of Rain. But let's be honest--Mould never really disappoints. He's always excellent--he just sometimes bleeds into brilliance like he does here.
  2. ptate33
    Mar 29, 2016
    10
    Okay. I'm biased. I love all things Mould. That sounds weird. Love all things Husker, too. Even loved Modulate. And Loudbomb. Still... even among all of Bob's albums - this sits right up there for me with the Beaster EP and Workbook or the Hubcap album. Bob's sound on this one is just even more "Bob" than ever. Thicker. Fuzzier. He is just so mature and assured in what he is doing. It's aOkay. I'm biased. I love all things Mould. That sounds weird. Love all things Husker, too. Even loved Modulate. And Loudbomb. Still... even among all of Bob's albums - this sits right up there for me with the Beaster EP and Workbook or the Hubcap album. Bob's sound on this one is just even more "Bob" than ever. Thicker. Fuzzier. He is just so mature and assured in what he is doing. It's a masterclass for those who have abandoned distortion in exchange for that thin, douchey indie guitar sound... hoping to be featured in the next Marriott ad. There is darkness to this album... but, as always, Bob is (in the end) life-affirming. If you have ever liked anything of Bob's... this will flip your wig (sorry... that was terrible). Play very loud and enjoy every ounce of what rock n freaking roll should be.… Expand
  3. anonymous1baby
    Jun 7, 2016
    6
    While there are some good songs here, it's just about unlistenable due to the lack of production values. Just about every song ends up sounding like the same loud mush. The notable exception is Losing Sleep.

    Ever hear of loudness wars for crying out loud? It's really a shame that someone with Mould's chops allowed this to happen, but then he was the producer. I guess his 55 year old    While there are some good songs here, it's just about unlistenable due to the lack of production values. Just about every song ends up sounding like the same loud mush. The notable exception is Losing Sleep.

    Ever hear of loudness wars for crying out loud? It's really a shame that someone with Mould's chops allowed this to happen, but then he was the producer. I guess his 55 year old ears are shot. That's a real shame. Hire a producer next time Bob.    … Expand
  4. shoeletariat
    Jul 18, 2016
    9
    Just felt the need to write quick review to refute another which claims the production of the songs is poor. Clearly this person has not listened to much authentic punk or classic rock, as in my opinion the production on this album is FLAWLESS. IT'S SUPPOSED TO SOUND HEAVY.

    There's some really amazing songs on this record, ones I can't help but start singing along to when the chorus    Just felt the need to write quick review to refute another which claims the production of the songs is poor. Clearly this person has not listened to much authentic punk or classic rock, as in my opinion the production on this album is FLAWLESS. IT'S SUPPOSED TO SOUND HEAVY.

    There's some really amazing songs on this record, ones I can't help but start singing along to when the chorus hits. That's always a sign of a great rock album to me. Enjoy this one, it's a small classic.    … Expand
  5. pikeman4
    Apr 26, 2016
    10
    Dark lyrics with upbeat music, great album............................................................................................................

Awards & Rankings

53
#53 Best Album of 2016
2
#2 Most Shared Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Austin Chronicle
    Aug 11, 2016
    78
    Results including "Lucifer and God" and instant classic "The End of Things" equal Mould's most melodically explosive punk rock since his Eighties heyday in Minneapolis, all abrasive guitar work and barbed lyricism candy-coated by tunefulness.
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  2. Dusted Magazine
    Apr 19, 2016
    80
    The album gains strength as it goes on, getting harder and more abrasive in its second half. And yet even as it rages, it has an elegiac tone.
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  3. The Quietus
    Apr 12, 2016
    80
    It's good to know that, like you and me, he's swimming hard against the ever increasing tide of shit and still, in the main, coming up smelling of roses and refusing to back down.
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