Mould Still Rocks, but Band-Less Show Lacks Some Intensity

The past and future are often in balance or conflict in pop music, and no less so for your typical indie rock pioneer. Bob Mould has chosen the future for now, melding the emotional spasms of hard rock he first created as leader of Husker Du with a surprising, and risky, layer of electronics.

That is the sound of his newest album, “Modulate,” and it often works, mingling delicate computerized melody with sudden eruptions of noise and pain. (One highlight is “Semper Fi,” which cleverly uses tape noise and chatter as sole musical accompaniment.)

But Mould’s concert at the El Rey Theatre on Thursday only dabbled in this new electronic obsession.

Most of his 90-minute set rocked typically hard and naturally, accompanied only by his guitar and prerecorded tracks.

Which isn’t an ideal setting for any rocker, especially when playing to a seated audience. Some intensity inevitably gets lost. And yet Mould’s sound hasn’t changed so much since his days with Husker Du and Sugar, finding rich melody within roaring guitar riffs, and singing such inward-looking sentiments as, “down again, seems like I might not be the only one.”

Mould has clearly matured as a songwriter and performer. That was made clear during “Makes No Sense at All,” a Husker Du modern rock hit, which sounded surprisingly thin in the context of such recent solo work as the pained “Lost Zoloft.”

Mould stood on stage almost unrecognizably trim, but still dressed the same, in casual jeans and a T-shirt. With two video screens behind him, constantly flashing scenes timed specifically to his songs, Mould was all emotion and edginess, his electric guitar occasionally set against a disco beat.

The music was aggressively tuneful, with lyrics that were typically evocative and yearning for understanding. It all sounded full-bodied and convincing, but some songs simply cried out for a full band, some musical and visual collaboration and tension, to make the live experience feel whole.