Grant Hart served as the drummer for Husker Du, but more importantly was one of the group’s two songwriters (Bob Mould being the other). Once dubbed the “hummable Husker,” Hart writes catchy choruses and sings in an earnest tone that turns up the pop influences while the guitars often crackle and distort with an unleashed punk rock abandon. Hot Wax is only his third solo album in twenty-plus years. While Hart hasn’t been prolific, the music he has released has been worth the wait. “You’re the Reflection of the Moon on the Water” opens things with the crusty sound of the basement still coming through. “Barbara” turns baroque with strings and a carefully harmonized vocal ensemble. “Charles Hollis Jones” returns things to maximum volume. “Schoolbuses Are For Children” turns the volume down with a hint of Bowie. And on it goes — Hart alternating between his need to bleed the ears and a love for 1960s-70s pop.