In 1989, Bob Mould took a left turn. Already legendary before his 30th birthday for his noise-and-nuance work in Husker Du, Mould had recently walked away from his old band. He re-emerged with his debut solo album: Workbook. Filled with chiming acoustic guitars, multitracked vocals, pristine production, and even a cello, Workbook was both admired and questioned for Mould's perceived departure from his post-punk roots.

Three decades later, the album has emerged as a key for understanding the nascent alternative rock genre and the concerns Mould would explore for the...