In a Doghouse [ENHANCED] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REISSUED]

Throwing Muses

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
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #48,638 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
One of the best bands of the 1980s and the first American band to be signed to the prestigious British record label 4AD, the Throwing Muses' 1986 self-titled debut and their follow-up EP, Chains Changed, were never released in the United States. Consequently, the Muses early influence on the burgeoning alternative-rock scene was felt in ripples rather than waves. Rereleased and repackaged by Rykodisc in 1998, In a Doghouse compiles the stunning glory and horror of Throwing Muses, Chains Changed, the group's self-released demo tape, Doghouse, and new recordings of five early songs by guiding muse Kristin Hersh. Furious, potent, and raw, these recordings showcase Hersh's unique musical vision filtered through a lens of motherhood and mania. In a Doghouse also features songwriting contributions from Hersh's half-sister, Tanya Donelly, who quit the Muses to join the Breeders and then formed her own band, Belly. Both songwriters utilized unsettling time signatures, anxious lyrics, and airtight performances from their band mates to create the sound of teenage girls bursting into womanhood. A must-have album for fans of Hole, Sleater-Kinney, and even Fiona Apple. --Shawn Stewart

From the Label
"I swear to God, we thought we were a party band. As Throwing Muses, at ageoh, sixteen or seventeen, we were gleefully impressed with ourselves and our ability to bring joy to people through sound. We were then stunned and horrified to see audiencesreact with something like stunned horror

So, this sound became our mission. Every note and word had to fascinate us. Every song had to be alive, like a great person... full of colors and sweat and memories and potentialWe never expected anyone else to want to listen again and this was okay. I guess we figured we,d get the internal right and the external world would either fall into place or disappearIt kind of did both

We became somewhat suspicious of our fans, though,, Why are you here? we would askpeople who came to our shows. Maybe they were just falling into place

It has been suggested that I was insane during the Muses early days, something I have vehemently denied in my effort to prove that this stuff could come out of our girlfriendsour sisters, and our mothers. Listening now, I wonder if I was all there, but maybe that was the point. Our girlfriends, sisters and mothers have been known to go elsewhere at times, too

The difference is that I had lovely, funny, talented musicians to go there with me. These Muses saved my life, quite literally, over and over again. They are full of colors and sweat and memories and potential; they are great people. I miss them

Besides, the idea was always to leave a big, fancy present on the table and tiptoe out of the room."

KRISTIN HERSH. 10 June 1998

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 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)

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

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars NOT the usual college-radio-friendly fare!, October 14, 1999

By	W Mianecke (Rochester, NY) - See all my reviews

This long-awaited release contains what I feel to be the Muses best work, the CHAINS CHANGED ep. Four to-the-point, incredibly well-produced songs, great lyrics, wild, stop-start, layered instruments. It defies description. The first album (included) is also great, but, takes itself a BIT too seriously for me, and the sound is a tad murky. The demo's and other stuff are great, especially "And a She-Wolf..." and "Raise The Roof", which I remember them performing live WAAAAAY back when they first were touring. I prefer this material to the more radio-friendly, samey-guitar-sound later Muses stuff. However, that aside, this is a great bunch of music, and, at it's best, it defies description without being arty poetry... Re-C0-Mmen-Ded!