Customer Reviews

Murder, Misery and Then Goodnight

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

They say first impressions are usually the best ones. I tend to dissagree most of the time but today I'm gonna go with it. I'm listening to this CD at the moment and the first thing that struck me was the seeming sweetness of the melodies. Then as the lyrics started seeping in, disturbing visions made me smile. One reviewer mentioned Tim Burton and I indeed feel he/she has a point. There's something magically twisted about this. Twisted and Humorous.

All in all a wonderfully dark and sweet CD. Sorta like Nursery Rhymes for adults.

Not for everyone since it's rather disturbing, but if you like dark humor definately get this.

-Richard "go to sleep, go to sleep little baby..."

This is the by far the most cherished CD I have bought in a long time.

Kristin Hersh is, as ever, enchanting... her love for her kids touching and sweet. I am mesmerized with each and every note.

(And, if you've ever heard your dad or someone you love sing songs like this, you will feel like you've been given a really great gift.)

This is a morbid little gem from Kristin Hersh: a collection of Appalachian murder ballads, lullabyes and a couple odd songs. Having listened to this kind of music throughout my life, it's great to see that she's keeping these songs alive. However, given the radical difference from her past material, even some of her die-hard fans might be put off by this and buy it for their collections for the sake of completion. By the same token, I see this album as a way to introduce her to fans of off-kilter folk music, who might not have otherwise heard of her. In keeping with tradition, I wish there was less instrumentation on the album, but in some cases -- like the organ in "Banks of the Ohio" -- it creates a very effective mood. Kristin tempers the morbid subject matter with some really fun songs, like "Three Days Drunk" or "What'll We Do with the Baby-O." All in all, this album demonstrates how talented and well-rounded Kristin Hersh is musically.

Kristin's take on classic Appalachian folk songs. An oral history of life in Appalachia. Beautiful voice with a little southern accent. Fun for the kids but demented enought for the adults

Have been a fan of Kristin's/Muses for 10+ years and Kristin is one of the most consistant artists out there - good and great, but never bad. This is one of the most infectious records I've ever heard - you'll be singing along in no time - and you'll wish you had kids to sing it to.

Kristin Hersh has been able to reach me spiritually more than any other artist...and believe me, I am quite a music afficianado! This CD is such a delight and something that I enjoy sharing with my own kids. I can also share this with my mom, who likes blues mostly, my step-father who palys in a bluegrass band, and my grandfather, who listens to old traditional gosepl hymns. They each recognized a tune from this collection. It really is a great pick! I love you, Kristin!

I knew Kristin had this album in her when she recorded "The Coo Coo," one of the most mysterious of so-called "mountain" songs. It will not do to complain that Kristin is not authentic, not Appalachian. That's the kind of snobbery folkies have been handing out ever since Dylan went electric. These are called folk songs because they belong to the folk. My mom, a reasonably sophisticated girl from Jersey sang a few of these songs to me when I was a baby-o. Kristin obviously loves these timeless tunes & so do I.

Bob Rixon, WFMU-FM

Completley agree with a customers reveiw from 1998, as it was pretty much what I was going to say. I was kinda shocked when I read the song listings, the Kossoy sisters pretty much did do the "original" of this album in the early 50's...I'm thinking? Bowling Green is worth a look in if you are looking for a more traditional slant on these songs. After sampleing it's just not my cup of tea, so sorry to all who love it, but I won't be adding Herst's attemts to my collection.

I was first exposed to Kristin and Throwing Muses way back in 87 with a song called "Fish". It was on a 4AD compilation, "Lonely is an Eyesore", and the title was taken from a line in "Fish". I was in college at the time and they were the poster child for college/alternative music. I'm in my 30's now, as is she, so the stage of nostalgia and childhood analysis is where I'm at as well. To be honest, if she was still in the Muses, I wouldn't have as much respect for her as I do now for making an album like this. She makes these songs, which are not hers, and probably not really anyone's for being as old as they are, sound like her own. I like this album a lot better than Strange Angels, and I admit it's probably not for everyone, but Kristin and Throwing Muses never were. "Mama's Gonna Buy" with her kids singing backups, and "Sweet Roseanna" are gems. For me personally there are no low spots on the album. I was lucky enough to have a mom that sang songs to me as a kid, and from listening to this album, her kids are really lucky.

i find it unfair to attempt at 'reviewing' an album that is obviously meaningful to the artist, it is a gift to her children. so, can we, with a clear conscience, say, uh, no, this album is wrong, sorry kristin. no. even if one does not enjoy this album for their own listening pleasure, there is still the necessity of respect towards the effort of a gift. i love this album. it is very raw and tough and touching in the sense that it is more personal than we can comprehend. admit it. even if you may not dig this album for itself. at least dig the gesture. dig? dig! cheers.