In a Doghouse [Enhanced, Original recording reissued]

Throwing Muses | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 15, 1998)
• Original Release Date: September 15, 1998
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Enhanced, Original recording reissued
• Label: Rykodisc
• ASIN: B00000BIJC
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #73,640 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. 1

2. Green

3. Hate My Way

4. Vicky's Box

5. Rabbits Dying

6. America

7. Fear

8. Stand Up

9. Soul Soldier

10. Delicate Cutters

See all 14 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Call Me

2. Sinkhole

3. Green

4. Hate My Way

5. Vicky's Box

6. America (She Can't Say No)

7. Fear

8. Raise the Roses

9. And a She-Wolf After the War

10. Fish

See all 15 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A landmark album in indie rock with outstanding musicianship, November 19, 2002

By 

Christopher Culver - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In a Doghouse (Audio CD)

IN A DOGHOUSE is a marvelous collection of early material from Throwing Muses, a group of New England youngsters who became the first American signing to the influential British label 4AD. The first disc includes their first, eponymously titled album from 1986 and 1987's "Chains Changed" EP. The second disc is "The Doghouse Cassette", the band's demo to 4AD, and finally five early written songs performed by the Throwing Muses' 1996 lineup.

The first album was ironically never available domestically in the United States, one could get it only as an import from savvy record shops. That it has been re-released as part of IN A DOGHOUSE is a fortunate event. This was one of the most influential indie albums of the 1980's, with its raw sound that preshadowed the Pixies and grunge rock. The superb musical talent of this quartet is what makes this album stand out. David Narcizo, recognized as a drumming legend hardly out of high school, provides a distinctive sound by eschewing cymbals. His ability to jump from one complex time signature to another has always remained the Muses' greatest strength. Bassist Leslie Langston gives quite a punch, especially on songs like "Fear" and "Soul Soldier". Finally, the duo of half-sisters Kristin Hersh and Tonya Donnelly, on rhythm guitar and lead guitar respectively, provided a razor-sharp sound that accompanied the lyrics perfectly. During this time Hersh suffered an extreme form of bipolar disorder that caused her to hallucinate, resulted in lyrics like a William S. Burroughs novel. This fierceness, together with the outstanding musical ability, made the early Throwing Muses an even more original band.

The "Chains Changed" EP resembles the first album, but Narcizo's drumming is, somehow, even better. On "Finished", the band twists through a myriad of musical changes that rivals anything progressive rock ever put out. The closing track "Cry Baby Cry" touches the heart with Hersh's passionate vocals and minimalist production.

"The Doghouse Cassette" features many of the songs from their first album, though in less-polished form. It's a great chance for fans to hear lesser-known songs like the curious theology-centered "Sinkhole" and the wild "Fish" (which appeared in a different version on 4AD's 1987 compilation LONELY IS AN EYESORE).

The five early songs performed by the 1996 line-up are rather different from the other material of IN A DOGHOUSE. By this time, Tonya Donnelly had left and Kristin Hersh had essentially turned the Throwing Muses into a solo project. As a result, the band doesn't sound as multi-faceted as on the first album, and in my opinion that is a great loss. Nonetheless, the songwriting is good. This is the only place (besides a limited-edition 1992 concert album) to hear the live-favourite "Catch".

If you've never heard Throwing Muses but like any of the acts ever signed to the 4AD label, especially the Pixies, IN A DOGHOUSE is a sure bet for excellent music.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vintage Cheer!!, June 5, 2001

By 

Eric Swanger (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In a Doghouse (Audio CD)

I can honestly say that the Throwing Muses first LP (self-titled), which is part of their newest release In A Doghouse, is probably one of the only CDs that I bought in my teens and still actually love and listen to regularly. For me it was erratic music for erratic times, but even now I really appreciate Kristin Hersh's perspective on things. What still amazes me is how layered their music was then-a post-punk/hillbilly sound full of dissonance and blood and guts charisma. The dual guitar, multi-vocal assault on tracks like "Vicky's Box," "Rabbits Dying," and 'Fear" are pretty astounding (especially considering their later sound was totally void of this effect). Hersh's free-association semi-poetic lyrics and grungy singing style provide for an extra potent experience. She has a very distinct voice, full of pain and chaos and excitement all at once. Their debut also has some of the best percussion you'll ever hear in any rock record...lots of wacky cow bells and snare solos (see "America" and "Fear"). But aside from all their experimentation, this is just basically a GREAT rock album, from a time when good rock music was few and far-between. I would say that they are the Velvet Underground of the eighties, but Im sure a lot of people would disagree. The other tracks on this compilation, from the Chains Changed EP and their earlier Doghouse Cassette are also very satisfying, although I would say that the Chains Changed EP is arguably over-produced. The Throwing Muses have a sound that is a lot like letting loose a wild animal, and i think the spontanious sound they perfected on their debut gets covered up a bit in Chains Changed. But I would check out "Finished," which is pretty amazing. Fans of this period of their music should also really get their hands on their 6 song EP The Fat Skier. Some of their best music is layed out with their usual blood and chaos on those tracks. I think its only available on 4AD import.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a Must Have and a great idea, September 27, 2003

By 

mellowgold (nobody's bizness but my own) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In a Doghouse (Audio CD)

this is the stuff right here. a great double disc. taking the muses debut and adding the follow up ep's was a great idea. but it just gets better as disc 2 adds some demos and other odds and ins. very well put together. i'm so glad 4ad did this. the music is of course amazing. a young hersh & donelly are very shape here. hersh is really in rare form here. it's great stuff all over the place. the b sides on disc 1. and demos on disc 2. are amazing stuff and right up there with the debut stuff. it's great that this stuff is out there and no longer rare and hard to find. i first got into the muses in a very unusual way. i saw them on Conan when university came out. man conan gets some good music guest doesn't he. i wish i had it on tape. anyway i think they played Shimmer. it was a great. and hersh really caught my eye. anyway this is really worth getting :)