Throwing Muses

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

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.

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!

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

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.

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).

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Album not available on spotify

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

nig

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.

Wow! What an album!

Enjoyed this double album twice. Great work 👏 5

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.

Found on YouTube. Really good and fun album

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.

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…

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

Fresh

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

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"

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.

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

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!

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

makes me wanna learn the guitar again

I really liked this album. Her voice is fantastic.

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

shit is hot

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

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!

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.

This was fantastic!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

super cool

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

1 cup post-punk poetics 1 tb each b52s, au pairs, and gang of four season liberally with arpeggiated major chords and unusual rhythms serve slightly undercooked pairs well with the unmistakable Kristin Hersch/Tanya Donnely harmony {chef's kiss}

Solid

Really really cool! Reminds me a little bit of Cocteau Twins vocally but that may just be the style of the time. Definitely cool witchy vibes and I kinda wish this album was on Spotify. I'll for sure listen again

Finally tracked this down on YouTube. I’ve enjoyed Throwing Muses since I was in high school but hadn’t heard this. Wow. Such a great record. Possibly their best.

Love female-fronted alt rock with some bite. It's not nearly common enough for my tastes. This is a super solid example of it. She has a great voice.

This one I like, raw, emotional, artistic.

Always down to listen to Throwing Muses. I've never listened to this particular album before. Definitely will give it some more love down the road.

I love how much they sound like punk B-52s!

Sat in that sweet spot between excellent support band and disappointing headliner.

Cool girls gone bad

Such a cool sound! Definitely more punk-y than what I'm used to, but still slays. Also, love the juxtaposition of a female voice with punk/rock. Her (their? at one point it sounded like multiple women, maybe it was just vocal layering) voice(s) gave me slight Dolores O'Riordan vibes. I definitely need to listen again, it's frustrating that it's not on Spotify though.

Long but enjoyed this album. Not sure if original 86 version.

Hi octane, edgy indie/rock, featuring some jagged guitar sounds and riffs, a dark foreboding atmosphere plus a decent singer. Nothing really sticks out as a classic song but there's nothing bad on here either. On the whole, very enjoyable.

The Spotify link is wrong but the actual album this is is quite good

Oh I really liked this. Feels like a bedfellow to some of REM’s early stuff and the link between punk and indie Terrific energy and some great tunes

I really liked this album

In de eerste oogopslag zag ik 'Muse' staan en ik schrok me dood, denkend dat de dag was gekomen waarop Matt Bellamy m'n batterij volledig zou gaan leegtrekken met z'n bombastische gruwelmuziek. Wat kan die man, naast slopende muziek maken, ook ontzettend goed en hard ademhalen zeg. Maargoed, dat moment blijft voorlopig nog even als een donkere wolk boven me hangen, dit is een andere band. De Spotify link hierbij klopte niet. Het album waar het naar verwees was iets teveel huismerk Blondie. Gelukkig kwam ik er na 3 nummers achter. Wat een reis heb ik achter de rug, nu al. Het album waar het echt om draait is een stuk lekkerder. Doet me qua zowel qua zang als muziek flink denken aan Be Your Own Pet. Lekker rauw gitaargeluid, alsof het in iemands kelder is opgenomen maar dan wel door een professioneel team. Ik kende dit totaal niet maar ik kan er wel van genieten. Niet elk nummer zit in het midden van m'n genotszone maar overall een voor mij prima album.

Love the raw sound and Kirstin Hersch's angry and strained vocals.

This was an interesting album to get right after Porcupine by Echo and the Bunnymen. In some ways, more of the same, but also a much different approach to the post-punk genre (not that there is all that much that unites that genre together). Like Porcupine, I would not have pegged this album for being as early as it is. You could tell me that this was mid-90s, and I would have easily believed it. Throwing Muses were well ahead of their times with this album. Like a lot of female-led albums, it didn't get the recognition it deserved in its time (and continues not to). Clearly a very influential album, given how many artists would later incorporate its sound 4/5

Surprisingly good. The songs were musically interesting, experimental. Stand-out: Rabbits Dying

Started out strong and interesting...was a tired by the end. Overall a pretty cool band I had never had exposure to in the past. 4/5

Reminds me a bit of the Runaways. Especially Vicky's Box. Very Cherry Bomb-esq. Also a bit of Grace Slick thrown in there. Not quite four stars but I don't think 3 does it justice. Closer to 4 tho.

Old school punkyness. Dig the female vocals.

Ah really liked this, strong (post?)punk album. Glad I discovered it Saved tracks: Green, Vicky’s Box, America (She Can’t Say No), Cry Baby Cry

The cool thing about the 80's is that post-punk bands would start to develop a unique sound with more pop-informed songwriting. The result is effectively indie rock where the production was way more captivating than a lot of the more mainstream stuff from the 80's. Throwing Muses, while lesser known, was one of those bands. They would pave the way for the Pixies to be signed by 4AD, as they would share similarities in their sound that proved to be popular with an alternative audience. Throwing Muses is notably raw and restless. There's a lot of well-executed ideas throughout the album that I happen to appreciate more as the runtime goes on. Every song ends and I think "wow, that was great! I wonder what the next one has in store?" and it's just as good or interesting. A true underground underrated gem. Dig this up and give it a listen.

I like this! Exactly the kind of niche badass alt rock I enjoy. And the band is fronted by a unique and bewitching woman? Amazing! I am loving the vocals, the lyrical content and style, and the production that creates the right mix of raw yet popish musicality. It honestly feels like it paved the way or in some part even inspired Hole's Live Through This. Sucks that I can't listen to it on Spotify, because that's where I do all of my listening, but at least there's a lot more Throwing Muses music there that I can explore. And I will be exploring this band more, no doubt about it. Hidden gem, good find!

Melodic and edgy: I like this kind of stuff.

I like this a lot. Very original and interesting. 4 stars.

Better than Muse

It’s annoying to have to find the songs one by one. I would be willing to buy it while I still have a car that can play CDs, but timing wise that won’t work out for the challenge. Very interesting overall. Nothing about this bores me. I do wonder about whether certain songs in particular relate to being hit by a car while riding her bike. I can’t help but wonder about the role of dissociation on this album in general, since Kristin has since spoken about being dissociated during songwriting prior to EMDR treatment. Lots of the lyrics speak to trauma and various aspects of mental illness. I didn’t expect the country influences that came up in a couple places. It gets a 4 rather than a 5 for because of the annoyance of trying to piece it together myself for this (I could buy directly from Kristin that might shift things) and because it is sort of emotionally intense with few breaks outside of songs that are on other albums anyway. Those albums can be 5s. If you’re new to the band this is certainly a good primer.

This is one of those hidden gems that this project is all about. Throwing Muses debut album is clearly one of the first albums to experiment with a post-punk sound. Bands like the Pixies were clearly influenced by this sound. Maybe it's their label's fault, but I'm shocked Throwing Muses are not bigger in popular culture. Best Songs: Call Me, Rabbits Dying, America, Worst Songs: Soul Soldier

Really liked the first 3/4th or so, then it got a little out there

Very much enjoyed the female vocals and raw music rather than heavily computerized.

beautiful voice from the female singer, suprisingly energetic algum

I really liked this one. It's always nice to see a female-led band on here. Hersh's voice here is great, and the riffs are pretty creative. Fave track(s): Call Me, Green, Rabbits Dying

I loved what I thought was the first Throwing Muses album - I just didn't know about this one at all. I was a big fan of House Tornado/Real Ramona/Hunkpappa and I thought Fat Skier was their first so now I'm totally confused! I saw them live back in 89 and forced my university friends to be fans too. This is great, full of the slightly discordant tempos and melodies over interesting chord structures. I get it won't be to everyone's tastes but it was great to discover this.

I almost passed on this one because I couldn't find it. I did find it here though https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1Xd2jY3zWQ. I'm very happy I did finally find it. It is an amazing album. Every part of this album (drums, vocals, lyrics, feel, etc, etc) is amazing. So good!

Favourite tracks: green

This is much closer to the angular British post-punk of circa 1980 than the New England college rock of circa 1990. Surprisingly good.

Fun, enjoyable. Will revisit.