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Throwing Muses

Throwing Muses

1986

Throwing Muses
Album Summary

Throwing Muses is the 1986 debut album of the band Throwing Muses, released on British independent label 4AD. This was the first album by an American band to be released on 4AD, which had concentrated primarily on British-based acts up to this point. The release marked a shift in the label's direction; a year later 4AD would sign Pixies based in part on the band's connection to Throwing Muses, and by the mid-1990s much of the label's roster was made up of American bands. AllMusic calls the album a "powerful debut" whose "startling collision of punk energy, folky melodicism, and Kristin Hersh's mercurial voice and lyrics...puts the work of most self-consciously 'tortured' artists to shame." The review praises the record's "fluid, effortless emotional shifts"—also described as "violent, vibrant mood swings". The album was also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. The album was originally released in the UK by 4AD in August 1986 (CAD607) on LP, CD and cassette. Sometime around the early 1990s, the album went out of print, as plans were made by the band's American label, Sire Records to issue the album for the first time in the US, along with 1987's Chains Changed EP, which had also never seen American release. After Throwing Muses were dropped by Sire following the disappointing sales for 1995's critical favorite University, plans for the re-issue were dropped. The band later resurrected the re-issue project, issuing the 2-CD compilation In a Doghouse in 1998 on 4AD (DAD607CD) in the UK, and on Rykodisc in the USA. This compilation not only contained the debut LP and EP as originally planned, but also (on the second CD) the demo tape that convinced 4AD president Ivo Watts-Russell to sign the band; newly recorded versions of songs originally written in the band's early years; and the band's award-winning 1987 video for the song "Fish".

Wikipedia

Rating

2.96

Votes

12682

Genres

  • Rock
  • Indie
  • Post Punk

Reviews

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Dec 16 2022
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4

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

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Sep 25 2022
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5

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.

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May 03 2023
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5

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!

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Sep 01 2022
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4

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

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Feb 02 2023
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5

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

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Sep 08 2022
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4

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.

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Sep 07 2022
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2

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).

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Aug 09 2022
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5

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.

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Apr 05 2023
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4

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.

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Oct 16 2022
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4

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

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Apr 05 2023
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4

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.

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Jan 26 2023
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4

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.

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Feb 21 2024
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3

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.

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Nov 24 2024
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5

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!

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Apr 23 2023
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5

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

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Oct 27 2022
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5

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

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May 27 2024
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4

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.

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Jan 11 2023
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4

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.

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Dec 14 2022
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4

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

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Sep 09 2022
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4

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.

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Aug 09 2022
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4

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.

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Nov 10 2023
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3

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

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Jun 22 2023
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3

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.

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Jan 28 2025
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5

This album was a funny trip. I love it!

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Jan 04 2025
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5

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

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Dec 02 2024
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5

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

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Nov 25 2024
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5

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.

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Nov 05 2024
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5

Found on YouTube. Really good and fun album

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Oct 25 2024
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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.

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Oct 14 2024
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5

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.

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Oct 10 2024
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5

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"

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Oct 04 2024
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5

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

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Aug 24 2024
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5

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

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Jun 20 2024
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5

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

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Jun 16 2024
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5

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

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Jun 14 2024
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5

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

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May 28 2024
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5

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.

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May 06 2024
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5

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

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May 03 2024
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5

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.

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May 01 2024
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5

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

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Apr 25 2024
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5

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.

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Apr 24 2024
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5

can't rate - no access to album on spotify

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Apr 10 2024
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5

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.

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Apr 04 2024
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5

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

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Feb 13 2024
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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.

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Jan 01 2024
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5

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.

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Dec 27 2023
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5

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.

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Dec 21 2023
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5

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

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Nov 26 2023
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5

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.

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Nov 01 2023
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5

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

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Oct 18 2023
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5

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!

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Oct 05 2023
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5

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.

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May 18 2023
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5

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.

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Apr 23 2023
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5

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…

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Apr 14 2023
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5

I really liked this album. Her voice is fantastic.

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Mar 10 2023
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5

makes me wanna learn the guitar again

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Jan 18 2023
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5

Enjoyed this double album twice. Great work 👏 5

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Dec 29 2022
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5

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

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Feb 21 2025
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4

On the bridge between 1983 post punk and 1993 alt rock, this is full of dirty buzzing guitar, gritty driving bass, and high drama operatic vocals. Borrowing from surf, new wave, and cowpunk, the songs are driven by catchy riffs and guitar figures, oscillating between tight and chaotic sections, building tension up and unleasing it all at once as the drums go nuts.

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Feb 06 2025
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4

Great chaotic energy, massive creativity on display, a worthy entry on this list. Still, for me, more of a sometimes listen (like Siouxsie) than a listen anytime (like Adam and the Ants) as it only suits certain moods/situations. Favorite: Cry Baby Cry.

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Feb 06 2025
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4

This was a great album that unfortunately I overlooked at the time. I'll come back to this

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Feb 04 2025
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4

Found it after some searching. I really enjoyed this I was vaguely familiar with throwing muses but not sure I have listened to more than 1 or 2 songs.

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Jan 31 2025
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4

Impressive album once you track it down. 4 stars or B+.

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Jan 30 2025
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4

## Throwing Muses - *Throwing Muses* (1986) Album Review The self-titled debut album *Throwing Muses*, often referred to as *Untitled*, is a raw and emotionally charged introduction to the band's unique sound. Released in 1986, the album showcases the band's signature blend of post-punk dissonance, folk sensibilities, and country-tinged lyricism [1]. The album is characterized by its unconventional song structures, dynamic shifts in tempo, and Kristin Hersh's intensely personal, often surreal lyrics [1]. The album is a challenging but rewarding listen, marking the beginning of a long and influential career for Throwing Muses [6]. **Lyrics** The lyrics on *Throwing Muses* are deeply personal and often explore themes of emotional turmoil, alienation, and existential angst. Hersh's songwriting is characterized by its stream-of-consciousness style, often veering into surreal and fragmented narratives [1]. The lyrics are raw, honest, and unflinchingly confrontational, giving the album its intense emotional core. The song "Hate My Way" exemplifies this, with its stark and anguished questioning, *"Ask myself again... How do they kill children? And why do I want to die?"*[6]. Other songs, like "Vicky's Box," are equally impactful, featuring dark and evocative imagery that reflects the inner struggles of the narrator [2]. The lyrical content is not always easy to decipher, and the abstract nature of the words contributes to the album's overall sense of unease. The lyrics are less about straightforward storytelling and more about capturing the raw emotions and fractured thoughts of the moment. This approach lends the album an introspective quality, inviting listeners to delve into the complexities of the human psyche. **Music** The music of *Throwing Muses* is as unconventional and daring as its lyrics. The band's sound is characterized by its dynamic shifts in tempo and mood, moving from quiet introspection to explosive outbursts [1]. The guitar work is angular and dissonant, often employing unusual chord progressions that contribute to the album's unsettling atmosphere. The rhythm section, featuring David Narcizo on drums and Bernard Georges on bass, is tight and complex, providing a solid foundation for the band's experimental arrangements [6]. The interplay between Hersh's more stream-of-consciousness style and Tanya Donelly's pop leanings creates a tension that is central to the band's sound. This combination of styles results in songs that are both challenging and catchy, with unexpected melodic turns and rhythmic changes that keep the listener engaged [1]. Tracks like "Hate My Way" and "Vicky's Box" showcase the band's ability to create intense, almost claustrophobic atmospheres that are both thrilling and unsettling [2]. The music feels both chaotic and controlled, reflecting the internal conflicts explored in the lyrics. **Production** The production of *Throwing Muses* is raw and unpolished, which enhances the album's emotional intensity and gives it a sense of immediacy. The album was recorded with a minimalist approach that captures the band's live energy and raw sound. The guitars are often fuzzed out, creating a sense of tension and unease. Hersh's vocals are upfront in the mix, emphasizing the vulnerability and honesty of her delivery. The lo-fi aesthetic of the album contributes to its unique charm and authenticity. The imperfections and rough edges in the production make the music feel more real and visceral. This approach was somewhat common in the post-punk scene of the 1980s, but *Throwing Muses* pushes the boundaries of typical production conventions. The album's production is not polished or slick, but it is effective in conveying the band's raw emotion and intensity. **Themes** The primary themes explored on *Throwing Muses* revolve around internal conflict, emotional pain, and the search for identity. The album's songs delve into feelings of alienation, confusion, and despair. The lyrics often convey a sense of being trapped or lost, reflecting the internal struggles of the narrator [2]. Another recurring theme is the questioning of societal norms and expectations. The band challenges conventional ideas about love, relationships, and personal identity. The lyrics are often confrontational and subversive, challenging the listener to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves and the world around them. Despite the darkness that permeates the album, there is also a sense of resilience and defiance. The band's willingness to embrace raw emotion and vulnerability is ultimately empowering. By exploring these difficult themes, *Throwing Muses* encourages listeners to confront their own inner demons and find strength in their vulnerabilities. **Influence** *Throwing Muses* has had a significant influence on the development of alternative rock, particularly the genre's more experimental and emotionally charged factions [8]. The band's unique blend of post-punk, folk, and country elements helped pave the way for other artists who sought to push the boundaries of conventional rock music. The band's willingness to experiment with song structures, chord progressions, and lyrical content has influenced countless artists in the indie rock scene. The album's raw and unpolished sound helped to define the aesthetics of the alternative rock movement. The band's DIY approach to music-making and their willingness to embrace imperfections have inspired many artists to follow their own creative vision, regardless of mainstream expectations. Kristin Hersh's intensely personal songwriting and powerful vocal delivery have had a particularly strong influence on female artists in the alternative rock scene. Her willingness to embrace her own vulnerability and confront difficult emotional truths has been an inspiration to many songwriters. **Pros** * **Unique Sound**: The album's blend of post-punk, folk, and country elements creates a unique and compelling sound that is unlike anything else in the alternative rock scene [1]. * **Intense Emotion**: The album's raw and honest lyrics, combined with Hersh's powerful vocals, create a sense of intense emotional depth that is both captivating and moving [6]. * **Experimental Approach**: The band's willingness to experiment with song structures, chord progressions, and lyrical content results in an album that is both challenging and rewarding [1]. * **Authenticity**: The album's lo-fi production and unpolished sound give it a sense of authenticity and immediacy that is hard to find in more mainstream music [2]. * **Influence**: *Throwing Muses* has had a significant influence on the development of alternative rock, inspiring countless artists with its unique sound and approach [8]. **Cons** * **Challenging Listen**: The album's unconventional song structures, dissonant guitar work, and abstract lyrics can be difficult for some listeners to grasp on first listen [6]. * **Dark Themes**: The album's exploration of emotional turmoil, alienation, and existential angst may be too intense for some listeners [2]. * **Lo-Fi Production**: The album's raw and unpolished sound may not appeal to listeners who prefer more polished and refined recordings. * **Lack of Accessibility**: The album's challenging nature and lack of straightforward hooks may make it less accessible to casual listeners. * **Not Streaming on Major Platforms**: The original album is not available on major streaming services such as Spotify, though select tracks are available on compilations like *Anthology* [6]. **Conclusion** *Throwing Muses* is a groundbreaking album that captures the band's raw energy and uncompromising artistic vision. It’s an emotionally intense, musically experimental, and lyrically challenging record that cemented Throwing Muses' place as a band to be reckoned with. While not always an easy listen, the album's raw emotion, unique sound, and willingness to push boundaries make it a seminal work in alternative rock. For listeners willing to dive into its depths, *Throwing Muses* offers a truly rewarding experience. Its influence on the alternative music scene is undeniable, and its themes of emotional vulnerability and defiance continue to resonate with listeners today. Despite some challenges, its overall impact and artistic merit make it a truly significant album.

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Jan 30 2025
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4

Alright, we got another album that I had to search YouTube for - the eponymous debut album from Throwing Muses, which is not to be confused with their eighth studio album that also bears their name. Now, I hadn't heard of Throwing Muses before. From what I read they seem cool as an early alternative rock act out of Newport, Rhode Island, characterized by the two frontwomen Kristin Hersh and Tanya Donelly with their stark writing and vocal harmonies, aided by David Narcizo's percussion that deliberately avoids the use of cymbals. A lot of their strengths were showcased on this debut album. From the get-go with "Call Me", the group had a knack for writing out delectable guitar hooks and punching beats, paired with Kristin and Tanya's impassioned singing. It helps that this album was well-produced by Gil Norton, who already had Echo & the Bunnymen's Ocean Rain under his belt. The instruments and vocals are all layered neatly in the mix so that no single element ever feels dominating. My favorite track sonically here is the Western rollick of "Rabbits Dying" with the synthesized horns blaring in the background and the incorporation of cowbell, followed by the gallop of "America (She Can't Say No)". As for the lyrics, Kirstin uses a lot of esoteric imagery to get transgressive and voice her emotional anguish and despair with what's going on in her world. Songs like "Hate My Way" and "Fear" come off as visceral when you follow along with her words. In that regard, the album can be a difficult listen if you're not closely following the narrative of these songs, alongside how abrasive the vocals can get in places. This is still an impressive debut for an early alternative rock act. It's an impressive find, even if the search for the album was a tad difficult.

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Jan 17 2025
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4

That was weird and I never really knew what was gonna happen in each song. Fun!

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Jan 17 2025
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4

Quite a lot of punk this month, this time it's girl punk. I've liked what I've gotten from the female leads like Souxie and X-Ray Specs, so it's not much of a surprise that I enjoyed this too. Most of the first half of the album was good, but it really started picking up gor me around Speed and Sleep. That song through Los Flamingoes was a great 15 min run, with the latter being my favorite on the album. The music is never constant and is overall largely enjoyable. I also like the lead's voice. It's reminding me of someone else I can't place, or maybe just the 2000s era. Either way, I liked it.

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Jan 13 2025
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4

Not really my style. But a fun listen.

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Jan 04 2025
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4

Throwing Muses was only a faint acquaintance before this, but I definitely need to dive deeper into the works of Kristin Hersh. Great songwriting and another take on a genre we’ve already been through a hundred times.

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Dec 19 2024
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4

Reading the wiki-page for this article, it really does sound like the bridge between Bauhaus and the Pixies. There is lots of alternative rock from this era to go around, so it's not very essential but a nice listen nonetheless. Female vocals is always nice for a change and the songs are fun to listen.

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Dec 04 2024
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4

sounds more like pixies than I would have guessed, but I soon found out why! A band I have heard of lots, as they show up on record store sites when searching for "Muse", but I had not listened to before

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Nov 29 2024
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4

Rating: 8/10 Great album with strong songwriting. Interesting song structures and great riffs and production made this a very enjoyable listen from start to finish.

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Nov 29 2024
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4

i love when WOMEN yell. this would have hit so so so hard when i was scary depressed and probably would (will) hit so so so hard the next time i’m feeling really self-loathing and hopeless. that doesn’t sound like a particularly glowing review but it is COMING FROM ME. i like the pretty jangly guitar juxtaposed with the incisive brutal lyrics sung in her weirdo voice. music that makes your stomach hurt in a good way. fav tracks: call me; green; soul soldier

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Nov 18 2024
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4

Really cool album. Standout songs: Call me Rabbits Dying Soul Soldier

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Nov 18 2024
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4

it’s not on spotify and honestly i can’t be fkd tracking it down but i remember digging it and the one track i could find just now was good

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Nov 08 2024
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4

Had to go to YouTube for this so you won’t get my sparkling commentary throughout because I refuse to pay for ANOTHER subscription service. Now I sound like an old man. Let’s give another unheard of album a rip. Not another bad one please. Dude. This thing is IMMENSE. Huge surprise from the get go. The singing is insane in the best possible way and the lyrics are thought provoking and often tortured. The style changes are mostly fun albeit sometimes grating (I feel like some of it reminded me of “Let’s give ‘em something to talk about.” (Not a compliment)) HOWEVER, this album reeks of raw passion and soul and ends up coming across as a genuine expression of art rather than something to be reviewed well by music nerds. Not musically perfect, but emotionally poignant and ultimately impactful. 4 HIGHLIGHTS: Call Me, Green, Rabbits Dying, Stand Up

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Oct 24 2024
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4

A pretty badass pair of step sisters. Loved the angst. Loved the lyrics. It's got 70s punk roots, 90s punk vibes, but was released in the 80s. Great album.

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Oct 20 2024
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4

Had to check it out on YouTube (throwing muses full album). The above album cover and title are incorrect. I wasn't very impressed during my first listen, I think because I was a little distracted. On a second playthrough I felt the brunt of it's quality! Easy 4/5

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Oct 18 2024
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4

Really great discovery from this project. Throwing Muses have always been on my periphery, but sitting down to listen to this record was a totally different experience to what I was expecting. It's not too different to the Gun Club, but fed through Dolly Parton, and its fraught with tense lyrical insights that are so candid as to be uneasy at points. They would go on to do a more polished rendition of this sound for the rest of the career, and while it brought them a bit more success I think this record is something much more unique. Very strong album that will go into heavy rotation on my turntable from now on.

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Oct 06 2024
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4

Fav: Call Me Least Fav: Fear My favourite part was how whenever it sounded like it was gonna decrease in quality they just completely changed it up. Only issue was the vocals sometimes not being fantastic

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Sep 26 2024
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4

Surprisingly interesting throughout - a kind of punk Kate Bush or an American Siouxsie and the Banshees - each track is rather memorable. Hersh’ vocals get a bit repetitive at times but the songs are good so she’s forgiven. Enjoyed it.

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Sep 23 2024
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4

Being from New England, I've vaguely known Throwing Muses but never given them a thoughtful listen. Should have done it earlier, like this a lot. It feels to me like it's well before its time - sounds like it could be a mid-late 90's album.

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Sep 08 2024
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4

good album! it saddens me that its average is so below oasis' album, its gap definitely isnt that big. 3.5 rounded up as well

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Sep 05 2024
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4

I actually liked disc 2 better with the vocals front and centre of the mix. Bronze-y enough vibes with some great angry girl screaming which I loved. several standout songs including Doghouse. When it wasn't that good it turned into standard alt noise but I definitely enjoyed listening overall and glad I stuck it out to the casette mixes

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Sep 04 2024
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4

"Throwing Muses" is the debut album by American alternative rock band Throwing Muses. The genres listed are post punk and alternative rock. Yep, perfect. Another really good description of the music is "a collision of punk energy, folksy melodicism and guitarist/lead vocalist Kristin Hersh's mercurial voice and lyrics." All of the songs were written by Hersh except "Green" which written by Hersh's step-sister Tanya Donelly, also a guitarist/vocalist. The other two members of the band were Leslie Langston (bass) and David Narcizo (drums). The producer was Gil Norton and the band was first American band signed to British label 4AD. Layered guitars and drums kick off "Call Me." This is very dark and post punk. Hersh sounds like a dead ringer for Siousie Sioux. Donelly harmonizes and they get a soft-loud-soft dynamic going. This is a break-up song. A beating percussion opens "Green." The song then goes melodic and back to creepy. It's still dark and appears to be about being in love with someone while while the person you're living with is jealous. "Hate My Way" brings a start-stop-start dynamic. Very dramatic with emotional vocals by Hersh. Vicious lyrics such as "gun to the head" "why do I want to die." "Soul Soldier" begins slow with a prominent and hypnotic bass. It the then goes really fast with the guitar and beat. I really liked the tempo change. "Delicate Cutters" closes the album. An acoustic guitar keeps the music soft but Hersh's vocals go from soft to screaming as she sings about mental illness. I had a tough time interpreting this album and band until it hit me; if you drew a line from the goth, post punk band Siousie and the Banshees to the late 90's alternative band Sleater-Kinney at the intersection would be this version of Throwing Muses. Their music is post punk, hard and at times country punk/alt country. Hersh's vocals are anxious, emotional and range from whispering to screaming reminding me a lot of Sleater-Kinney's Corin Tucker. The lyrics are very dark, and cyptic...bad relationships, sex and mental illness. The rhythm section drives a lot of these songs. It took a few listens before I really got into this album but I did. I'd say if you're a post punk or a Sleater-Kinney fan, chances are, you'll like this album too.

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Aug 28 2024
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4

Biiiiig fan of this one! Love the sound of her voice and the use of both guitar and drums in their songs. Favorite Songs: Rabbits Dying, Call Me, Green

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Aug 26 2024
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4

Moody, gritty and intense. Small grace notes make this record – like the tone/tempo shift on the opener and the very good "Hate My Way." Similarly, "Soul Soldier" starts liltingly, almost tenderly, before toughening up briefly – each shift adds depth and import, even if the song woulda worked well keeping to the general direction of balladry. Vocals get a bit raw and screamy at times. The songs display a command of the various flavors of indie rock circa '86 (e.g., hook-laden post-punk spikiness; slow-burning brooders; quasi-country/rockabilly romps that in some ways predicted psych folk). One saw them and remember their live show very much delivering – and exceeding – the intensity and grit of the records. They did themselves no favors by titling their 2003 album the same as this one. The other early records are also quite strong (particularly the excellent but unfortunately titled Hunkpapa) and built on the template here, with a bit more subtlety and range (plus generally cleaner production) but one cant really argue with featuring the initial effort here.

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Aug 25 2024
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4

Turns out this album is considered to be untitled, and it seems to be only available as the first 10 tracks of the compilation "In A Doghouse". This is a great post-punk/alt-pop album in a similar vein to the Pixies and The Breeders.

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Aug 24 2024
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4

Emotional vocals and diverse instrumentation. Like a rocking wailing goth. In *checks notes* 1986??!!

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