Biography

Alt-rock superstars Hüsker Dü called it a day on January 28, 1988, but the band’s Bob Mould would reappear on May 2, 1989 with his first solo album—the incredibly impassioned and personal Workbook.

In addition to writing and producing the entire album, Mould sang all the vocals and played many of the instruments, sharing duties with The Golden Palominos’ Anton Fier on drums, Pere Ubu’s Tony Maimone (bass) and cellist Jane Scarpantoni from Tiny Lights. While always recognized as an astonishing guitarist, Mould’s fretwork on Workbook traveled to levels yet unheard or imagined.

The album has since taken on iconic status, and Omnivore is proud to present the 25th Anniversary edition; Workbook 25

In addition to the original album’s 11 tracks, the first disc of this 2-CD collection adds “All Those People Know,” originally issued as the B-side of the single “See A Little Light.” The second disc is Bob’s complete 1989 performance at Chicago’s Cabaret Metro. 13 of the 17 tracks are previously unissued and the show contains music from the then, two-week old, Workbook, Hüsker Dü favorites and a cover of Richard & Linda Thompson’s classic “Shoot Out The Lights.”

The album will be available on vinyl for the first time since its original release and will be pressed on 2 LPs for sonic superiority. The vinyl edition will also include the B-side, bonus track, “All Those People Know.”

As innovative as Hüsker Dü was, fans had to wonder if Bob Mould could take them on another journey as rewarding. Workbook not only proved he could, but did.