Throwing Muses

https://open.spotify.com/album/3rIziXSp46zL1jmweXITHy?si=_nFXDUBFSnaG0WFcAaQbrQ Listened to this link for Throwing Muses Album

The Spotify link is correct here, even if it seems wrong! "In A Doghouse" is a compilation of early Throwing Muses work, and the first 10 tracks are actually "Throwing Muses" (the album). And it's great!

One of the many things I discovered in this journey is how much I actually love female driven punk. I mean, as a former enjoyer of Avril Lavigne's emo pop-punk, I should've seen that coming. This album carries the female punk energy that I love. But it's sound is quite sonic and atmospheric despite the chaos. It's more post-punk than punk. Still, it has just the right level of grittiness and filthiness from punk. It hit all the right spots in me.

Crazed blissful caterwauling. I have been a fan of the Throwing Muses for decades but was admittedly unfamiliar with this album. To be honest, I didn't like it at first but decided to push through. I gave it a second listen, then a third, then a forth. It had grabbed me. It is like a dream or a lucid waking nightmare. It also paved the way for a lot of American indie/underground music that follow Pixies being a prime example

bleat [bleet] noun 1. the cry of a sheep, goat, or calf. 2. any similar sound (the bleat of distant horns). 3. foolish, complaining talk; babble (I listened to their inane bleat all evening).

Isn't this new? Not on Spotify, Amazon Music, nor is there a Youtube playlist for them, so I had to create my own, which will probably be broken in a week due to potential copyright strikes. This was hard to find, but damn it was it worth it. It's my kind of music! For some reason, I especially love post-punk music with female vocals, from the B-52s to Siouxsie to the riot grrrl movement. The instrumental is cool, dark, and melodic, and the vocals swap across registers to show both eery and beautiful emotions she's able to portray. Gets a bit psychedelic in some parts, like the dreamy segments of "Rabbits Dying" that transition to an off country hoedown. Also gets really fun and energetic to dance to but simple and straightforward (like New Wave without the excessive instrumentation). No weak songs, I enjoyed them all, but possibly for the same reasons. The production can be a bit hollow in some places, but the lofi sound adds to its aesthetic. I can't wait to explore the rest of their discography. Favorites: Call Me, Green, Hate My Way, Stand Up, Soul Soldier

This album is why I do this project! What a find! Super solid early post-punk with strong vocals and killer riffs. I'm all about it.

I think this is a remarkable album. I’m sure I’ve heard of this band before but can’t remember the context. This predates Pixies and is as early a “90s indie” album as I can think of. I listened to their 1991 album The Real Ramona and thought that was spectacular as well. The fact this is from 1986, was released by a British label, is by a band fronted by two women, and is so tight, unique, and confident a debut all at once congeals it into something special. It’s sent me down a long forgotten rabbit hole today listening to bands that Throwing Muses undeniably had a huge impact on with this debut: Autoclave, Rainer Maria, Liz Phair, Pixies, Modest Mouse, Bikini Kill, Nirvana, Breeders, That Dog, and so many others. Hell, it paved the way for the entire 4AD label, now home to indebted powerhouse indie acts like Adrianne Lenker/Big Thief, Deerhunter, Tune-Yards, US Girls, The National…. A great, great, important album and honestly one of my favorites discovered via this group! Thanks 1001 Albums Generator! You da best! 4/5.

This was cool. Bit goaty, but I like goats. Never heard of them, will hear them again.

Absolutely worth the effort to piece this one together. Underneath the surprisingly effective combination of grungy guitar and near honky-tonk rhythms is a frenetic energy that keeps one on their toes, not knowing which way the track will dodge next but fully understanding the new direction when it does. For being released pre-90s, the LP also shows a prescient vision of where guitar-led music was headed with early dips into grungier tones and abrasive vocals. Overall, this LP is an exemplar of why I put up with some of the more questionable albums on this list, as its hidden gems like this which make the experience worth it.

This album feels like a total prelude to what would be 90s indie and alternative music. There's this grungey aspect to it but then there's still that reverb-y fingerprint of the 80s in there. I read somewhere that the Pixies opened for Throwing Muses. This album has a lot for me to unpack. Lyrically, I'm trying to follow what's going on but I feel like it's relatively cryptic stuff. Or maybe my brain is too small. Instrumentally is where I'm sold on my first listen. Basslines that bounce, basslines that feel dark and broody, Hersh's voice that switches from smooth to shriek to calm, the random percussive elements ("Rabbits Dying"), some VERY sick riffs ("Call Me", "Hate My Way" "Stand Up"), the (dare I say) beat switches ("Soul Soldier"). I get this B-52s silliness from a lot of the more upbeat tracks and a Toadies type of 90s from the slower ones. This is another album that really feels like it's in between the gradient of 80s and 90s, a connective tissue between two decades in music with very distinctive styles. I'm kind of just rambling here writing notes as I wait on my flight to board but, in essence, I feel like this is one of those times where I "get" this album and I "get" why it's on this list. For music lovers, especially those who have an interest in the intersection between post-punk and indie rock, this album feels like it has to have been an inspiration to many and the fact that this band went relatively unnoticed makes me think they deserve to be heard.

Note: I had to go to YouTube to find this. Also, Throwing Muses has a newer album ALSO titled Throwing Muses (2003). It is not the same as their debut album titled Throwing Muses (1986). Confusing, I know. Now that said, I was actually pleasantly surprised by this album. The music is absolutely very post-punk with surprising, zany elements, and I definitely got post-punk Siouxsie Sioux and even Kate Bush from this with the particular style of vocalization. I can even hear what may have served as inspiration for Courtney Love in Hole, too. In any case, I love these female driven punky sounds, so needless to say, this combination found on this album strikes a specific niche I have for music, making me really dig this. Does this album need to be on this project? I don't really feel like it does, no. But I won't look a gift album in the mouth.

Album not available on spotify

This is legitimately an album you need to hear before you die. At first I was confused about the album, because the name and year refer to an album and the cover is from another album. I did some googling and discovered everything. It's a perfect post punk album that seems to mix the sounds of bands like Siousie and The Banshees, The Cure and The Smiths with light touches of pure originality! I loved!

It’s a bummer that I had to go to YouTube for this, the sound quality wasn’t the greatest - a little muddy, but I have nothing to compare it to, so maybe the album was just a little murky to begin with, who knows. That small qualm aside, “In a Doghouse” (which is mostly just Throwing Muses debut album and some re-recorded early demos) is impressive. It isn’t overwhelmingly sentimental or depressing like a lot of Throwing Muses’ British label mates on the 4AD label at the time. It has bite and aggression, with some truly beautiful guitar and bass arrangements that end up elevating the songs into more ethereal territory, without causing the songs to lose any force. The influence this record might have had on a band like Sleater Kinney is tangible. It is an excellent record and I feel it’s worth pointing out that the state of Rhode Island, between Throwing Muses and Lightning Bolt, is very well represented on this list.

It's a cranky and hard album, but after the stodgy traditional borefests of Dwight Yoakim and Rod Stewart it feels exciting and refreshing. It's not a sane album, and I don't know if I want to listen again. But I'm very glad I did listen to it.

Wow oh wow oh wow. This is some very powerful stuff. Why wasn't this band, like, Nirvana big? So good.

this wasn't available on spotify, so I listened to their next album, "The Real Ramona" instead - and it was great! Poppy, angsty, varied, a bit tortured and discordant

I was able to listen to only 8 songs. This album is not available on Spotify or any of the other music streaming platforms. Someone made a small playlist on YouTube, and it is the one I picked to listen to. So, my review score will be based on those 8 songs.

This album must've been removed from most streaming platforms but I was able to find it on YT. I enjoyed it.

Nice to see some post punk/alt on here. It's a genre that deserves more attention. I hope we see more albums from the 80s. 3.5 stars.

Weird in all the right ways. Best track: Hate My Way

I remember the band's name from when they were popular but I don't know if I listened to them. Glad I have now. This is a solid album. I like the edge to their music but I also hear precision and style. Great balance and not easy to do as I can imagine a less skilled band going too far in one direction instead of showing the intelligent restraint this band shows. I love they way they play with tempo and song structure. Some really cool ideas in here. I'm relistening right now to "Green" because I love the sound of that arpeggio the guitars play.

This album was not present in its entirety on Spotify so I had to go through Youtube. Anyway, this is very refreshing punk/alternative rock. I love the signer voice and the producing of the songs. It seems there is some pixies influence on thise album. I was surprise because I did not know about this band at all. I liked it 4.

This album isn’t on Spotify so it was harder to find. I’m still not really sure if I listened to what I was supposed to. I liked Rabbits Dying but I felt pretty neutral about it overall.

Album not available on streaming so listened to their top 5 songs. It's okay

Not my type of style, but decent album. Some of the sounds were cool, some of the sounds seemed like some already used grunge ideas. Personal Favorites: Status Quo

1986 seems a little early for something this grungy and alternative to have been released. But here we are. I was all prepared to review this as another UK disc forced onto the list, but this sound is easily five years ahead of its time. 3/5.

This was a struggle to find since it's not available on any streaming platforms but luckily Youtube had it. Aside from that, I thought it was pretty average. Not the best, not the worst. The goat noises caught me off guard, but it was silly, so I give it a pass.

I got about halfway through the 2003 album “Throwing Muses” before I discovered I should have been listening to the 1986 album “Throwing Muses”. I guess it’s easy to get them confused. The earlier version isn’t available on streaming, so I had to hack together the track listing on YouTube. I’m not sure why I should care about an artist that obviously doesn’t care to have their releases done properly on streaming services, or take the time to give their albums meaningful (or even different) titles. All that aside, the music was awful. No musicianship, could not connect with it at all. Worst album so far on this list (170 albums in).

Album was not available on streaming services.

How did I miss this in the 80s? Fantastic debut album. Owes a fair bit to Souxsie and the Banshees, but thats no bad thing. Way ahead of it's time. Still sounds fresh as a daisy even now. Musicianship is top notch also...must have been an awesome band live. Great find.

Loved this album, unfortunately its hard to find and not on Spotify atm for US. There's a 2003 release with the same name which is confusing. The songs are on a re-release called "In a Doghouse" which has these tracks and is a little easier to find. Really enjoyed the sound, fun and rhythmic but also intense with a great punk energy. Vocals have a lot of energy and emotion which was attention grabbing. Raw sound reminded me of early Nirvana crossed with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. 9/10

Back in the day I bought my first Throwing Muses album sight unseen (The Real Ramona) on the basis of it being on 4AD, same as other artists I loved. I think Kristin Hersh is great, both here and solo. Going to give this a five, though there are probably other TM albums I like even more. Note: not available on streaming services. I found this playlist on YT: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDIxWXRU4UDo6zvUgDsqL4R94CyK9oTRT

I hate when an album isn't on Spotify, that usually turns me off a bit. But damn, once this started playing on YouTube I was sold. I'm a sucker for a female-led punk/post punk band and I had heard a few songs of theirs, which I really enjoyed, so this was a much-welcomed treat. It's not mind-blowing in any sense, but it's got all the parts - great vocals, great instrumentation, decent production, interesting songs. I would definitely pick up any record of theirs I stumbled across at the record store based on listening to this one. I particularly enjoyed Vicky's Box, Hate My Way, and Soul Soldier. For a rating, I'd give it a solid 4.5 and I'm gonna round up despite not having the album available on Spotify. I'll definitely be listening to more from them.

80s punk rock band with a female vocalist. Yes, please! I thought this was great. It’s a shame this isnt more accessible. I would love to add this to my Spotify. I did take a small dip into their other stuff too, and I’m a fan. This is a definite album you need to hear before you die.

It turns out that I've listend to a lot of Kirstin Hersch but not much Throwing Muses so it was nice to discover this album. I look forward to digging further. Fave: Hate My Way

Wow, this is awesome! I really enjoyed this record. Noisy guitars and female vocals always make a good combination.

A bit Siouxie, a bit post-punk, a hint of twangy, sparkly shoegaze... Love it.

This album was a funny trip. I love it!

Goddamn great post-punk! Lyrics you can actually understand and very different melodies to what you would normally expect from the genre.

Seemed quite good from what I could find since it wasn't on Spotify. Sounded like early Riot Grrrl which is great. One of the best new finds so far. 9/10

I loved this. Really like finding new album I love through this. Right up my street. Reminded me of Sleater-Kinney. This was their eighth album after a 5 year break. Interesting to have a self-titled album after 7 albums already. Great stuff though.

Really great.

Found on YouTube. Really good and fun album

Had trouble finding this online but finally found a Youtube video of the full album (https://youtu.be/E1Xd2jY3zWQ?si=1c7VMVkPczQOT8kX) The only song I knew from them was Bright Yellow Gun which I always really liked. They defintely sound more raw and "garage-band" like on this debut but it is solid throughout. This is the fourth punk-ish female lead band I've listened to and all of them have been great. This is no exception.

This is such a powerhouse of an album, and it sounds a bit like if Siouxsie and the Banshees moved to the US and inadvertently started a new music genre.

I was really excited to listen to this based on the wikipedia description and the cover, and it did not disappoint. I liked the vocals. They go from frantic, haunted and shrieking to whispered and soft. The bass was another standout for me. Favorites: "Call Me", "Green", "Hate My Way", "Rabbits Dying", "Stand Up", "Delicate Cutters"

Punkrock, das geht geradeaus ins Glück. Einige Umwege, rebellische Zwischenstationen und an der Endstation die gute Laune mit dem Gefühl des Glücks

This was fantastic!

It's interesting that one of my favorite albums that this list turned me on to is not on the list. Because of the difficulty of listening to the 1986 album I listened to the 2003 album posted on the comments and it's excellent. Soaring guitar with Dave Grohl style drums and creative songwriting. I liked the whole album, but the standouts were Speed and Sleep and Epiphany. I realize that I'm reviewing the wrong album, oh well. The 80s are getting an undeserved bump in my decade rankings

Fresh

What an unexpected masterpiece. Never heard of Throwing Muses before, and this album isn't on spotify. It isn't even on youtube, for one song only a bad sounding live recording exists. But still, this album is fantastic. I can hear its influence in multiple bands I've listened to. And what a voice the singer has too

4.5 Nice. Never heard of them before. Gives me Siouxsie vibes in many places.

Great! Woman rock band, a bit punk but not too much.

Wow, I didn't expect to like this but I do. It's interesting, quirky and is the epitome of Indie in my view. Some folk hate it but that only goes to prove how different we all are.......I'm giving this top marks to spite them.

This isn't available to listen to in the US! I could only listen to part of it on YouTube!

had to dig through youtube to find some of these songs. an 80s punk band with strong female musicians? 5/5 right up my alley.

I can no longer breathe. I can no longer be still. Throwing Muses' first album is absolutely the kind of record for which this list exists. An American band on an small British label from the mid-80's this was not well-know on release, and has been lost to time for most people. That ain't right! For those of us who did buy and treasure the record, it was a game-changer. From the opening riffs of "Call Me", it grabs hold and won't let go. A unique and compelling collection of songs, with Kristin Hersh's haunting voice, tangential lyrics, and shifting rhythms. It is just the right kind of "difficult" album. Your face appears I keep forgetting your name. It bums me out that the album still isn't on spotify, but glad some others have found it on youtube for the exposure and experience. Check out their track "Fish" from the 4AD compilation Lonely is an Eyesore - that's the next best thing. Neither the "other" (2003) self-titled Throwing Muses album nor Real Ramona, House Tornado, etc. come anywhere close to the 4AD debut's wild energy. Why don't you do to my insight What you do to my insides? Other bands like Pixies and Sonic Youth were branching indi rock in simlar directions, and ultimately enjoyed more success and staying power. But this album remains, to me, at the top of that pyramid. Solid 10/10. Favorite tracks: Call Me, Hate My Way, Rabbit's Dying, Soul Soldier

1986? Very cool Throwing Muses. A super interesting mix of punk and protogrunge here. Mixing things like Suzy and the Banshees, Kate Bush, B52s and to create something unique that feels half way between the 70s and 90s in the best possible way. I really like Belly who Tanya would go on to form years later. Stuck between a 4 and a 5, as I like the idea but none of the actual songs have really stuck with me. I’ll go 5 stars and try and find time to listen to more in the future.

can't rate - no access to album on spotify

Oh yeah, this is squarely in my wheel house. I found this album on YouTube and am eager to dive into their catalogue because this tickled that part of me that considers Sleater-Kinney (up to The Woods) to be the best American rock band. I loved it and I want more of it.

Given my love for punk and 80s alt it's remarkable I've never heard of this band before. Where have they been all my life? Kind of cool the drums don't really use cymbals. Personal enjoyment: 5/5 Relevance to this list: 4/5

1001 albums for the win! I greatly enjoyed this album by a band I was only peripherally aware of as they related to Belly and Kim Deal/The Breeders/The Pixies. The album is all over the place but in the best way, like one of those brightly colored rubber bouncy balls. Energy that can't be contained. I hear elements of Sleater-Kinney and even Liz Phair (even more apparent on later albums). Great find, I have already listened to two other Throwing Muses albums as a result.

Due to my age I came to Throwing Muses backwards - (Counting Backwards?) First via Belly and later Kristen Hersh's solo stuff. Another REM link, with Stipe's vocals on Your Ghost. Before finally coming to the Muses themselves. Of course I heard their more 'commercial' stuff first, Not Too Soon is an absolute worldie. To this record though, fully deserved inclusion. Yes, I get the Siouxsie references for sure in the early stuff. All of this is great, so dense but catchy. Standout above all though is Hate My Way - absolutely astonishing piece of music, and quite unlike anything else I've heard. The lyrics also, "I have a gun in my head", what does this mean, something about to go off? Delicate Cutters is also outstanding.

My co-judge and I never listened to these guys back in the day and thought they had more of a dark, shoegaze sound. So the first song was a surprise with it's quirky vocals and tempo shifts. They have lots of raw energy, combining arty post-punk with the occasional hint of folk. Kristen Hersch writes eclectic songs and is no doubt an entertaining performer. Her style has been cited as an influence (by ChatGPT anyway) by Alanis Morrissette and PJ Harvey. It's too bad these songs aren't on Spotify and available for future listening.

Listened to The Real Ramona a lot in high school but liked this album a whole lot more.

Surprised to find an album without Not Too Soon on the list. Turns out they just write cool music. Love the sonic tone, swirling, distorted, slighly muted, great stuff.

Grunge, punk, new wave, garagerock? Een beetje verschillende vibes in dit album. Toffe verrassing

nig

The music didn't grab me at first but by the end I was bopping my head. It also sent me on a happy rabbit hole of early grunge. The Muses were pioneers!

So far, the list generator prescribed quite a few American college rock albums from the 80s (practically all are very obvious 5-star albums), but the Throwing Muses were still missing. Luckily their debut is included in the list. Great album from a great band. It is their most intense album: some combination of punk and jangle pop and all songs are winners.

shit is hot

Baller album, this is exactly my shit. Love the harsh vocals and early punk vibe. This is a bear to find, I assume their history with many music labels has made music rights complex, but Youtube had the album in its entirety.

Logistically, this is not an easy album to listen to. Nothing about it on Apple Music. I found a copy of this on YouTube. To keep track I had to listen closely and follow along to the lyrics on the web so I could know what song I was listening to. It was worth the effort! Call Me immediately had me paying attention - what a great song! I liked Green, but it was Hate My Way that gave me chills! That lead singer is INTENSE! Vicky’s Box left me a bit stunned. What a song! Rabbit’s Dying - holy shit who are these people? This is an incredible song. I feel like this band is from some higher dimension… they break a lot of songcrafting rules and their songs hold up. Clip clops throughout America (She Can’t Say No) and really incredible performances grabbed me - that lead singer again! WOW! WTF? Soul Soldier just about knocked me out… like two songs in one - very different in tone and composition but somehow melded together. This from teenagers? Wow! This is a spellbinding album filled with incredible songs in the hands of a great band wielding a singer who seems to have come from some other world. The music is so sophisticated, breaking all kinds of rules about what makes a great song and in the process creating some really amazing songs! Why this was so difficult to find and listen to? This is one of the best things I’ve heard on this project… I cannot stop thinking about how impressive these unorthodox songs are. It borders on a crime that it took nearly 40 years to come to my attention. But thankfully this speaks to me maybe even more loudly than it would have when I was 18. I am in awe…

I really liked this album. Her voice is fantastic.

makes me wanna learn the guitar again

Enjoyed this double album twice. Great work 👏 5

Não conhecia a banda... uma excelente surpresa! Gostei muito do album!

Wow! What an album!

super cool

Punk women !!

J'y entend l'approche lyrique de Patti Smith, avec un background beaucoup plus post-punk. Du Minutemen, du Feelies, mais avec une énergie plus 70's. Ce devait être une bête de scène. Je suis un fan des Pixies, et j'entend beaucoup le coté unhinged de Frank Black. Je suis impressionné. Appréciation: 4 étoiles!

Fedt fund, meget positiv overraskelse! Lyder super cool

Mostly good stuff. Kristen Hersh's singing is a little too warbly sometimes (especially on the last two tracks), but the music is cool. She sometimes sounds like Siouxsie (especially on the first track), but that's not a bad thing. She often sings with an unusual meter - an unpredictable style that I liked. Overall, I'd listen more (and I'll note here that it would have been good for the 1001 to include Star by co-founder Tanya Donelly's later band Belly. But I get it, they needed space for more Elvis Costello albums). Favorite Tracks: Green, Hate My Way, Stand Up.

Great. Sounds 5 years newer than it is. The Pixies and Nirvana must have heard this. Favorite song: solar dip.

love the 90s vibe, definitely listening again!

This was cool, kind of along the evolutionary path of post punk to grunge.

Really enjoyed this one! Never heard of them before but will look out as they seem to be quite prolific

I like Throwing Muses. I don’t love them. I liked this album. I didn’t love it.

Понравился. Баланс между мягкостью и безумием.

an extremely clear post-siouxsie record, but with a more recognizably emotive indie rock flavor. i didnt rly pay attention to the lyrics which seem manic and strange, but i did fall every time for the trick where a more angular aggressive song gives way to a verse or bridge or just some one-off section that is soft and melodic and soul-baring. i do think the overall sound of this is like not the most exciting thing to me...maybe the siouxsie debut, which came much earlier and remains much more aesthetically disorienting/vivid kind of spoiled me lol, this sometimes plays less like a best of both worlds and more like slightly reheated leftovers...but honestly that could just be the result of only giving a cursory listen, thats always something i try 2 remember w/ this still project ghjsdhgjsd. good album! made me wonder if literally any drugs would work for whatevers wrong with me!

pretty cool album. a lot of times this album feels like it's R.E.M.-meets-Go-Gos-meets-Sleater-Kinney. it's got that 80s college rock feel but feels like the blueprint for a lot of female-centered rock that would come in the years following it. it was all pretty cool, and i think i would grow to like it a lot more on subsequent listens. it was a little bit uneven, which is why it doesn't quite make it to a 5 for me, but even still, i had a fun time listening to it.

Music itself is 3/5 but the story behind the band makes it 4/5

Pretty confusing that the album art here is for a different release - albeit, one that includes the original album. 😒 Anyway, I like this - went through a bit of a Throwing Muses phase in the very late 90s, early 2000s, though generally preferred Kristin Hersh's solo stuff. I'd forgotten how post-punky this is! I think they settle down into more conventional alt rock later in their discography. I enjoy the way most of these songs sound like 2 or more songs smushed together! Fave tracks - "Green", "Hate My Way"

Call Me is very interesting, strong Sonic Youth and B-52s vibes. Green is good too. Definitely some B-52s inspiration, Vicky's Box has some dolphin vocals from B-52s much earlier song Rock Lobster. The second half of Rabbits Dying is interesting, upbeat with some cowbell. A good few songs have sudden tempo changes which keeps things interesting. A bit monotonous but good album.

I do feel like this genre of music is overrepresented on this album, but this was a good one, super solid record all around. Very difficult to find, but found a playlist on YouTube.

Real cool

Difficult to find but worth looking for!

HOW THE HELL IS THIS FROM 1986?!?!?!?! I’m more familiar with later, more toned down Throwing Muses, so found this rawer iteration of them really thrilling. It’s just a really great, knotty and purposely difficult album, that is ridiculously ahead of its time.