Throwing Muses

At my relatively early listening stage, the tracks that stand out are Mercury, Civil Disobedience (those two have that early Muses vibe to them), Pandora's Box, Solar Dip and Pretty Or Not.

This review is coming from a longtime Throwing Muses fan, and I can tell you that if you have any capacity to enjoy this band, you will love this album. It reunites Kristin Hersh with her sister Tanya Donelly, for the first time since the Muses' 1991 album "The Real Ramona." Though Donelly is not a full-fledged band member (she only sings backup on 5 songs, and there are none of her own songs), her presence combined with the late-90's "Power-Trio Muses" lineup combines for an album that has the Muses' stamp all over it. This is evidenced by the driving and constantly changing rhythms reminiscent of their earlier work, the vocal interplay between Hersh and Donelly reminiscent of the "middle" albums, and the catchy melodies and louder guitars that were evident in the more recent Muses albums (the last of which was in 1996).

Despite these comparisons, the album itself does not sound like anything the Muses have ever done before. The drumming of David Narcizo, one of the best and most under-appreciated drummers in the music world today, has always been excellent, but on this album it is outstanding, as if he had been waiting to dig his teeth into new Muses material much as a ravenous dog would anticipate digging his teeth into a juicy steak. And the same goes for Bernard Georges' incredible bass playing.

All in all, this is a great and unique album that belongs in any and all CD collections.

"Throwing Muses" is a wonderful set of twelve brand new songs. The band is the same line up from "Limbo", Kristin Hersh, David Narcizo and Bernard Georges, and includes backing vocals from Tanya Donelly on five of the tracks.

The opening notes from the powerful "Mercury" signify the album's intent. The Muses are straight down to business with stop-start drumming, a ferocity and energy that I know from albums such as "Red Heaven", and the complicated layers of sound that no other band has ever matched in my experience. "I hope I don't stomp on your heart I know what that's like", sings Kristin, and you can hear it in her voice, she knows.

There are at least two people inside Kristin Hersh's body, one is sweet and gentle, one is full of demons and pain. This is evident on the second track "Pretty Or Not". It starts off gently and then erupts as she screeches the chorus. It drags the listener into her world and forces them to pay attention.

The songs are full of startling changes of tempo and volume, and each is like a little journey. "Status Quo" highlights this about three minutes into the song when it completely changes, like many of the songs on the debut album all those years ago.

Speed And Sleep is very scary. It is a song of betrayal and I hope that it isn't true, although I fear that it is. This woman has been hurt enough already. I love the line "Tiny strings across the United States run from you to me and to everyone we ever breathed with". It makes me think of Fate and the times I have met Kristin and the band.

Solar Dip is already a classic Muses song, one of the best things they have ever produced. It is like a rollercoaster ride with complicated changes throughout. Ferocious and compelling.

Epiphany has a beautiful guitar line in it that almost speaks. This is full of melancholy and reminds me of something ending.

The chorus of Half Blast sounds more like something Belly would do. Maybe that is because Tanya's backing vocals remind me of that sound? I think this would make the best single.

Every track here is a success. After seven years it is more than I ever hoped for.

Listening to the Muses is never dull. Kristin's voice reminds me of Mother Nature. One minute you are in the eye of the hurricane, with chaos and destruction all around you, the next moment you are bathed in warm sunshine and touched by a gentle breeze. The guitar sound is unique and unmistakable, the vocals are strong and she lives them as she sings. David and Bernard are the perfect compliment to provide the multi-layers of sound, and Tanya's contribution is a welcome one after such a long absence.

Amazingly enough, this album could be the best thing the Muses have ever produced. I don't say that lightly. I can't imagine life without Kristin Hersh's voice being in it. Please buy this album and experience music that touches every emotion and the very core of your being.

You know that whole "alternative" music scene we hear about so much these days? That one that busted out with Nirvana's NEVERMIND, about a dozen years ago? Well, a half dozen years before that, a teenaged Kristin Hersh was exorcising her deamons with the help of her band, Throwing Muses. The first American band signed to 4AD, the Muses traded riffs with the Pixies, turned the bars and music halls of Europe upside down (R.E.M. opened for them, way back), and dominated college radio in the late 80's. Most importantly, the Muses helped lay down some of that serious trackwork which paved the way for folks like Kurt Cobain. Does the mainstream music press give her props for ANY of this? No.

Begging your pardon, but, frankly, I believe in credit where credit's due. But I digress.

Kristin's had her share of ups and downs -- she had to bust up her beloved band because they couldn't afford to stay together, for example -- but through all of it, she makes her music the way she likes it. Because she has to. And, dear lord, in this day and age of handpicked, corporategrown and groomed "rock grrls", it just doesn't get any better than that.

This is the Muses' first album since 1996. They're as strong as they ever were. Hold this album up to the likes of, say, the Vines or the Hives or (shriek) the Strokes and you'll see that it stands firm against any uppity up-and-comers. Tracks like "Mercury", "Pandora's Box" and "Civil Disobedience" are proof that Kristin and her band are still at the top of her game. And what a disturbing game it is -- take a minute to learn a thing or two about Kristin, and you'll discover that she's done more living than most of us.

Interesting living makes for interesting music, that's for sure. You think that pesky Avril's got problems?

Kristin knows better than anybody how to rage, AND she's got four kids. Pick up this album and see for yourself why she remains my undisputed queen of alternative rock.