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16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Tanya Donnelly's best since 'Star', October 9, 2004
Cast your mind back to 1992. Tanya Donelly, freed from the constraints of Throwing Muses, starts her own outfit, Belly, who burst onto the indie scene with their album 'Star'. It's magnificent, a Grammy Award nominated unclassifiable blend of rock, pop, country, psychedelia and dreamy ballads. Tanya Donelly looked set to rule the world, but somehow she doesn't. Belly's follow up ('King') fails to ignite the way that the previous album did and the band break up. After a quick foray in The Breeders, Donelly commences a solo career. Two solo albums on, both largely ignored, here we are with Whiskey Tango Ghost, and the good news is, it's her best album since 'Star'.
But don't get too excited about reliving your college days just yet, this album is a 1'000 miles down the road from the music she was making in the early 1990s. There's nothing remotely like 'Gepetto', `Feed the Tree' or 'Dusted'. For a start, Donelly has chosen an alterna-country style for this album that will no doubt prove a challenge for many listeners. It's 5 songs in (the excellent 'Butterfly Thing') before we hear anything resembling a percussive tempo. These haunted fragile songs have been presented totally stripped bare.
To compliment the minimal arrangements Donelly's voice is clear and arresting and deservedly given centre stage. She's never sounded better. The warm intimacy of the instruments is captured in a way that makes them sound as if they are in the room with you. There might not be a lot to latch on to with initial listens to this esoteric style but, and more satisfyingly, the album slowly reveals itself over time to be an absorbing and complex work. The trademark Donelly hooks are there, but lie hidden amongst the flowing, often hypnotic, approach. It's a meditative album and appreciation requires the listener to slow down to its languid pace.
Lyrically, Whiskey Tango Ghosts seems more intimate and personal than previous works. The recurring themes are the supernatural and human relationships; the latter presented universally, but based upon her relationship with husband Dean Fisher (who also contributes drums, bass, guitars, and percussion, Fisher also co-wrote some of the tracks with Donelly). Marking a new chapter in Donelly's life and work, Whiskey Tango Ghosts isn't an easy ride, but there's much to uncover here.
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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
An earthier yet less exciting Donelly , August 22, 2004
The Throwing Muses were never commercially big still , they always had a significant , truly devoted fanbase which would follow them everywhere plus many admirers among the critics who always pointed out the strange charms of this Boston band . What made them stand out was first of all , their originallity . They just didn't sound like any other group that was around at the time . Their songs were raw and complicated concerning obsessions and various unpleasent feelings all sung with the edgy , scary voice of Kristin Hersh .
When guitarist Tanya Donelly was given the chance to contribute to the tracklists , she displayed a more ethereal and less angry aspect of female songwritting . Not being able to release as much material as she'd like to , she left the Muses in the early 90's to form the Breeders and soon after that Belly whose first album " Star " , in spite of containing some deeply personal , dark fairytales-gone-wrong , sold an amazing million of copies in the US . All the sudden it was 4AD at the Grammies and the active music press which supported good music couldn;t have been more happy . Belly's second offering " King " had even more neurotic smiles for die-hard Donelly fans yet lacked the spooky , sweet music atmosphere of their debut . Although cd-singles " Now They'll Sleep " , " Super Connected " and " Seal My Fate " deserved a better luck in the charts , " King " just didn't give reasons to the alternative-rock audience to prefer Belly at that moment in time over other still criminally overlooked bands like the Sonic Youth or even the rest of the Throwing Muses themselfs whose " University " also released in '95 was far more direct and meatier .
Donelly's solo efforts which followed were truly exceptional . " Lovesongs For Underdogs " was powerful and gutsy , " Beauttysleep " quietly thrilling . It doesn't take more than just one listening to tell that her latest offering " Whiskey Tango Ghosts " is not a bad album as well . The quitte opposite really . It's tracklist is full of the fragments of a female heart in love , all tender and most importantly honest ( Donelly never really seemed to care about sales anyway - her official site still remains curiously unaware of the release of " ... Ghosts " ) . The only problem is that fans of her back catalogue will feel not exactly dissapointed...more like uncomfortable while listening it .
The abstract mysterious lyrics of the past about dead dogs and sugar-coated nightmares are gone , mostly replaced with a number of declarations of love concerning her husband Dean Fisher : " I Want You / I still want you / i always do / i always will " ( Fallout ) " There i said it i've done you wrong " ( Just In Case You Quit Me ) " You 're the love of my life " ( The Center ) . Musically there are no drums on most tracks , only a guitar , some piano melodies , some country touches here and there . The singer herself has recently said that " i ignored the extra parts in my head and forced myself to be quiet " . So , she turns to simplicity and again it works because she is undeniably gifted and her talents always shine especially on tracks like " The Butterfly Thing " and " My Life As A Ghost " . As a fan of her music since my teenage years though , i miss the artist who knew how to flirt so good with my dark side . It's when i listen to older tracks she has put her name on like " Pools In Eyes " or the musical twister of " Honeychain " that i feel right at home .
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Peacefully introspective, January 19, 2005
For those of you who adore Tanya Donnelly like myself and have loved her since the glory days of Throwing Muses, The Breeders, and Belly, do not look for more of the same from Tanya on Whiskey Tango Ghosts. That's not to say that this album is bad or even lacking; it is, however, vastly divergent from the invigorating and life-affirming timelessness of Star.
The entire album is unplugged (big surprise!) and incredibly introspective, if not somewhat listless at times. Although admittedly, this album will take a few listens to be fully appreciated, it nonetheless fails to galvanize and energize like the Tanya of old did. Overall, I found it to be enjoyable and even profound at times, just not as exciting.
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by Tanya Donelly 
