Body of Song (2005)

Tormented as ever, Bob Mould devotes pretty much this entire CD, Body of Song, to examining a doomed relationship from every angle; he's alternately resigned, angry, self-lacerating, regretful, and yearning. Musically, though, he's more focused. After unsatisfying forays into synth-pop and such, he's realized, in sonic avalanches like ''Circles,'' that sandblaster chords and cathartic solos bring out the best in him; in ''Days of Rain,'' he may have his own ''With or Without You.'' Alternate title: Bobby — Fully Loaded.