Following Hüsker Dü’s dissolution in 1988, vocalist and guitarist Bob Mould struck out on his own, releasing a couple of solo albums. Neither of them were a great success, leading Virgin Records America to release him from his contract. In response, Mould formed a new trio with bassist David Barbe and drummer Malcolm Travis, decided on a name while sitting in a Georgia Waffle House, and released one of 1992’s best albums.

Copper Blue, which earned widespread acclaim and was picked as the year’s best album by NME, is an embarrassment of college/alternative rock riches. As evidenced by “Helpless,” Mould’s hook-filled songwriting is absolutely on point and worth academic study while he and his bandmates deliver a performance that’s intense and raucous, but no less melodic or catchy as a result.