Throwing Muses

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

Who says compilation albums don't belong on 1001? "Throwing" it out there, that the Spotify button doesn't work on this album. Well, it works but sends you to a compilation album called Doghouse and not the album above. What's more is that the album the button sends you to an album that's. been REMOVED from Spotify. Moving on you search and find it on YouTube and listen to the full hour and 41 mins. and come back to submit your review ... OF THE WRONG ALBUM!!! Honestly, that was okay by me, I did find Throwing Muses by Throwing Muses on Spotify and got to listen to more of this amazing band. Great stuff that took me back to my east coast college days. ... BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE... ! Throwing Muses is touring again and I'm going to see them... Well, maybe if I can find the $$ and time to drive 2 hours south...

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

I enjoyed this! It was fun

In the continuum of girlboss indie rock this is kinda halfway between Patti Smith and riot grrrl with a lot of wider late 80s college rock indie thrown in. Which is to say that I think it is good!

this was really good better than pixies

hard to find

Definitely the best album I've had to listen to on YouTube. Riot girl wow. Like Sonic Youth and Blondie combined. Hooked me right away

New band for me, and I really dig the melodic post-punk sound.

This was surprisingly good. Her voice is fantastic, and the songs traverse a wide range of emotions. I’m liking the riot girl sound more and more. A 4.

This is the reason I signed up. To hear a band I’ve heard of but never listened to. Love this one.

Good stuff. I'll be checking out some more of their discography.

Opens with a decidedly 120 Minutes song, "Call Me" - vocals and music sound very much like a Siouxsie and the Banshee song, mysterious and nervous, before suddenly changing tempo and becoming more pastoral. "Green" demonstrates an inspired and eclectic vocal, lots of octave jumps. "Vicky's Box" has more Sonic Youth flavor, noisy with provocative story lyrics redolent of Velvet Underground. Their influences seem pretty eclectic - "Rabbits Dying" breaks out into a rockabilly beat after a slow haunting intro and then reverts back for the finale. "Fear" is a disjointed, noisy song with vocals that remind me a lot of Tori Amos. The music on this album is produced with a warm sound but also with a treble emphasis, a 80s/90s alternative trend if there ever was one. It's very soothing, but also adventurous, unique, confident. Signed by iconic label 4AD, they share a lot of sensibilities with many of the label's other bands including the Pixies and Lush. Tanya Donelly would later go on to work with Kim Deal in the Breeders and then front her own band, Belly.

Self titled isn’t available on Apple Music so checked out House Tornado instead. I like it, cranberries-esque with vocals and good musicality, but more punk themes which I dig. 4.

This album was really great. Exciting vocals and great production. Great find.

Yeah man. Female lead pop-punk. This is what your "edgy" friend would put on the tape player when you're hanging out having a Circle K slushie during the summer. Also, started listening to the 2003 album first and ended up scrolling the review comments and realized this was a tricky find to get the 1986. Props to the person posting the youtube link so I am bumping that link again: https://youtu.be/E1Xd2jY3zWQ?si=dxhSZ3oEdj5K2rFA

Listened to about half of the 2003 album of the same name before I realized it wasn’t the correct album. Found the correct one on YouTube. I’m not sure how to feel about the 1986 album. It’s not quite like anything I’ve listened to. But it’s surprisingly compelling. I like it more than a lot of punk I’ve listened to. 7/10 Quite Likeable

One of those bands I've always been familiar with but never listened to beyond what got played on college radio or MTV 120 Minutes. Solid album and it plan on checking out more from their catalog.

Decent; reminds me a bit of PJ Harvey at times.

FYI the album on Spotify is from 2003! A bit confusing, since it shares the same name as their debut 1986 album (AKA this one) although technically the band considers the debut album to be untitled (sure lol). Had to go down the Youtube rabbit hole to find the proper recordings. Glad I made the effort to actually do so, as there is a distinct level of scruffy grit across the 1986 album that can truly only exist on the debut record for a female-fronted, 80s alt/punk band. Kristin Hersh's vocals give these songs a supercharged life of their own, and I'm here for it \m/ Throwing Muses walked so Pixies could run, but the Muses still had a hell of a walk.

Enjoyed that. Started strong, drifted a little, but finished strong. Will listen again (probably).

So you’d think after finishing 559 albums that I would’ve learnt to double check that the link has taken me to the correct album before I start. Alas I was halfway through the wrong one before I realised. Luckily I really liked what I heard so was happy enough to for more. It’s just missing something to make me go for all five stars. Top Track - Vicky’s Box

Jangly and kind of dorky. Her voice kind of reminds me of a British Gwen Stefani (learned later that this is an American band signed to 4AD.. would've never guessed had I not looked into them more!). This isn't like a lot of other 4AD releases that I've heard before, but that doesn't mean it wouldn't be something I'd like to revisit frequently. Just a shame it's not anywhere conveniently located. (I had to use YouTube to play the album.. nowhere on any streaming. Shame..) I really like a lot of the progressions they do in the songs, and the dnb throughout the whole thing really clicks and is a solid unit. Really enjoyed this so far.

Every time it’s a massive pain in the ass to find one of the albums I wonder how the fuck anyone was supposed to do this before streaming. Anyway. Throwing Muses. This is excellent, and once again I have to ask why the fuck can’t I stream this anywhere sensible

Never heard of them before and this rips

Can see why some people wouldn’t like it, but I did. Like Cranberries meets Pixies. Would have been better with rawer production I think!

4 out of 5. Only listened to the original release but this was another fun listen.

Brand new to me and very good. Some real neat guitar stuff, and really isn’t that the most important thing?

This was such a cool album and a genuine surprise having never heard of Throwing Muses. It has a really enjoyable post-punk tone to it, with engaging instrumental hooks and haunting, impactful vocals. There are elements of it that remind me of Kate Bush meets PJ Harvey, maybe with a bit of Placebo in there for good measure. Call Me, Green & Hate My Way are brilliant openers and they set the tone brilliant for the album. I’m not sure I would have ever come across this record without the 1001 albums project, but I’m glad I did.

What a damn hard album to find. Ended up needing a YouTube video of the whole album to listen. And I’m extremely glad I took the effort because I really enjoyed this. A woman lead punk band is always a treat, and this didn’t disappoint. Great lyrics, unique vocals, excellent musically, with some odd choices here and there. But really something special.

this is like siouxsie’s american counterpart; i salute you creepy eccentric ladies 4.5 stars

I'm surprised I haven't heard of Throwing Muses before. I love these kinds of alt rock, post punk girl bands from the 80's and 90's, so this was a treat discovering a new (to me) one.

3.5 rounded up. Gave me Letters from Cleo vibes.

Not bad. Dare I say good? Yes, I dare.

happy that i know them now!

Interesting listening. Novel approach to punk and pre-grunge. Really enjoyed the energy of the music. Great vocals. I slowly grew on me as I listened. Ah, the surprises.

Chicks who rock

hit so hard idec

Len Houmous once threw a muse. 4.2 6/12 Speed & Sleep

i enjoyed this a lot

Alt rock, friends of pixies Call me Hate my way

I had heard of them, but not sure I actually heard anything before this. This was great! A nice post punk alt sound here.

Very cool - I vaguely knew them from the pixies belly breeders axis. They sound a bit like Sleater Kinney a decade earlier. Solid stuff.

I don't know why I can't seem to find a whole lot of words to describe why I like this album, but I just do. This flavor of post-punky alt rock just hits for me I guess? 8/10.

8.5/10 I really like that this album didn't stick with just one sound and kept changing

Aye great

Heard the new album but hadn't heard much old stuff, pretty good

Class, this should have far more listens on Spotify

Never heard of these guys before but that was great fun

4.5. The real tamona should be bext, too

Thankfully I quickly realized that I was listening to the wrong album titled Throwing Muses by the band Throwing Muses because when I found the correct album titled Throwing Muses by the band Throwing Muses, I found it much more enjoyable than the incorrect album titled Throwing Muses by the band Throwing Muses.

Super interesting, like a pre-cursor to Hole or Nirvana. A bunch of songs just take a weird left turn halfway thru (Call Me, Rabbits Dying) that I like. Pretty rad alt rack for 1986 - I like it!

Throwing Muses from my little research of them is cut from a similar cloth to the Pixies, I can for sure hear it. If you like the Pixies this one should come easy, it has the jangley guitars, prominent bassline, manic vocals, macabre lyrics, punk mentality etc. Another thing that is noticeable major thing that stands to me is the lead vocalists shaky, unstable voice that sounds like it's gonna break at any moment, but most of the time manages to keep composure. She manages to sound quite a lot like John Lydon/Johnny Rotten especially during early Public Image Ltd.. Or alternatively she sounds like a widow who's really preparing curses and a dish of revenge after a group killed her husband. Straight evil witch stuff. Highlight Song/s: "Green" and "Hate My Way"

Need to pick this up. YouTube is a terrible way to listen to music. Fond memories of high school and college and cool music.

finding the real version of this album was a nightmare. worth it tho, loved it omg why isnt this on spotify. every saying the spotify link is the right one is lying btw, go on youtube and find it there. this album so damn good, its so dynamic and crazy the vocalist is good i loved it

Not normally my jam, but there was some big emotion and energy in this. Particular favorites are Green, Hate My Way, and Fear.

I love girl angst bands; reminds me of Sleater-Kinney?

I accidentally listened to two of their albums and it was absolutely worth it. Love this sound.

It's hard to keep up with Throwing Muses. You can imagine how difficult it must be to dance along to their music at a gig, with all of their ever-changing tempos. I love it though. It's what really makes them stand out, and it's what makes their music so interesting. Songs speed-change multiple times mid-chorus, mid-verse and sometimes even mid-word. While their 4AD label colleagues the Pixies became known for their loud-quiet-loud dynamics, Throwing Muses use their unsettled tempos to shift energy levels in their songs. It works really well too. The rhythm changes somehow blend together smoothly, so it never feels jarring. It never feels like a gimmick, more like the core makeup of their music. As a big Pixies fan, I'd heard of Throwing Muses, but had never gotten around to listening to them. The melodies, themes and musical styles are very different, but the guitar tones really, really remind me of the Pixies. The connection doesn't end with 4AD. These bands are so linked that Tanya Donelly even went on to be a member of The Breeders for a while. Basically, this is right up my alley. And it doesn't disappoint. The guitar riffs are great, the dual vocals of Kristin Hersh and Tanya Donelly soften the rough edges, and of course, the crazily inventive drumming of David Narcizo brings those jagged rhythms that keep me on my toes for the entire album.

Finding the album was a little annoying. The link provided led to an album from 2003 with the same name. However, looking at the album cover, I saw the text "In a doghouse", and ended up finding an album from 1998. Checking the Wikipedia page for this album, I found out the original 1986 album only included the first 10 songs that are also present on "In a doghouse". TL;DR Original 1986 album doesn't exist on Spotify. Listen to the first 10 songs on "In a doghouse" from 1998 instead.

8/10

This was totally new to me, and I enjoyed it way more than I thought i would. I spun it twice. It got better

Different , but fun. I would spin this one again ..not sure how or why it made the list ..don’t see much on this album on the web

Not their best album but a good sign of what was to come later.

When the song starts, you have already arrived at the musical location; as interesting as it is, it doesn't progress. Much. But on this framework words are hung and delivered with an almost Kate Bush eccentricity. I enjoyed my ride, even if the bus barely moved out of the terminal.

Pleasant surprise, I liked this much more than expected

I had vaguely heard of this band in association with 90s alt, but had no idea how good or influential they were. This album, the bass lines, and her voice were vibey in the best way.

I thought this was great, it's like grunge, punk, easy listening and pop had a baby! I think music like this is a bit of my guilty pleasure. Sometimes you just want something digestible, but with enough edge to keep it entertaining. They remind me a bit of No Doubt, a bit of Pixies, a bit of Jeff Buckley. New band to me and i'm happy to know they exist.

1: Pretty Or Not 2: Speed and Sleep 3: Half Blast

210226 20:09 3.5

4.5

female rage and alt/punk music, Im sold

Heard of this band but never heard this album before. Wish I didn't have to stream it off Youtube because that was annoying and this record is great. 40 years old and still sounded fresh. Frankly it feels ahead of it's time...

First off, gotta make sure you listen to the right album, which *isn't* In A Doghouse as the link would have you think. Throwing Muses Self-Titled record is a little bit bipolar. There are some great moments on here, but a lot of meh too. The production is a little bit lackluster, but better in spots. I do like the indie alternative grunge vibe this has going on. The songwriting is just kind of inconsistent. And actually the B-side is WAY better overall than the A-side. All of the songs that are actually a complete package and get you into it from start to finish are on the second half of this record. Most of the first half songs only have a moment or 2 that are great but are otherwise forgettable. Reviewing this as a complete package unfortunately I can't just ignore the okay/meh first half, but by the end I am very glad I listened to this. 3.8/5

Good introduction to a great group, I can see me going down a throwing muses rabbit hole

Enjoyed the punky grunginess. Not a bad listen.

Best Song: Portia I liked this. I wish they had been a bit more prevalent in the 80s/90s. I had not ever heard of them prior to this and it is basically mid-90s pop-grunge a decade before it was a thing. 4/5.

I signed up for this challenge because of such hidden gems like this! I've never heard about them before and I thoroughly enjoyed this post-punk album. It's beeautiful, dark, haunting at the same time, and the rhythms are quite crazy. I often like female-led bands and this album is another good example. The first half is stronger imho, so it's a 4 star as of now, but it's quite close to a 5 star album and might round it up later.

I'm surprised it took me this long to finally listen to Throwing Muses. I knew their name in the 90's and was listening to other Tanya Donelly projects (Breeders and Belly), but just never got around to them. This album is really good on a first listen; I love the blend of rock and folk with a splash of country riffs and some punk attitude. Definitely something I'll be coming back to and listening to more of the catalog too. 4/5

Not gonna lie, it was a hassle getting this figured out it was a decent album The female vocals kind of reminded me of Radio Vago or Sonic Youth. There are a lot of good post-punk albums on this list. Favorite song: (America) She Can't Say No

I’ll need to listen to this a few times to see if any songs stand out, but on first listen, the sound is pretty good. Reminds me a bit of The Cure/Pixies and other 80s alt-rock. I’m surprised I hadn’t heard of this group. 3.5/5

I think this is my second album I've gotten that isn't on streaming anywhere, ended up finding a YouTube video of the full album since the YouTube link brings you to a playlist with two unavailable songs. Anyways, women in any kind of punk or metal or anything like that is always great. I'm noticing that women are more likely to experiment with punk music, like Bikini Kill creating Riot Grrrl music or this band making Post-Punk that's a lot more Post- than Punk. Sometimes they leave post-punk entirely and make something closer to Indie Rock territory. Pretty interesting stuff.

can't say it's a good album but I loved it anyway

After signing to a major label, Hersh quickly realized she wasn’t interested in entertaining the greed of the corporate recording industry, so she traded her first solo album, the widely acclaimed ‘Hips and Makers,’ for her band’s freedom. ‘I felt morally obligated to no longer participate in an industry without substance. We need real women, we need real music,’ says Hersh 🤩QUEEN🤩

Hmmmmm.....A band with energy and and a voice that refuses to go unheard? Yep, check and check, and given that I'm a sucker for that combination, I liked this. A lot.

Had never heard of this band, the album was somewhat difficult to find but was well worth it.

Mid/high 3. Good energy, not a ton of cohesion but overall enjoyable for me

When this popped up I immediately assumed that I would have had this, but no, it terns out that I had Red Heaven and University and had probably come to them via the Pixies and not the other way round. Therefore this might be the first time I had heard this rather good debut album. I immediately thought of Siouxie Sue on hearing the first track of this album but this doesn’t last through the album as Kristin Hersh is quite a versatile vocalist and her vocals twist and turn throughout the album and the addition of Tanya Donnelys vocals works well. It does the loud, quiet, loud quit type vocals so beloved of this period (and grunge) but has much more emotional intensity than just that. This is a great angry and passionate post punk album with great guitar and rythmic drumming and it is easy to see how this would have influenced the Pixies. Well worth 40 minutes of your time and now available as the first 10 tracks of a compilation with great demo tracks and additional music charting the early days of the band. There isn’t really a bad track on the album I really must go revisit those Throwing Muses, Belly and Pixies albums.

Disappointed that I haven't been able to locate this album anywhere, as it sounds interesting. Listened to some individual tracks instead - nice sound!

Now I know where that sound came from with “Epiphany”. Fun album

8/10 Best songs: Green, Vicky's Box, Rabbits Dying Difficult album to find - the full original album is available on YouTube under the title "Throwing Muses First Album 1986 Full." A very rock precursor to woman-led/riot grrl bands of the '90s - I could easily see Sleater-Kinney, Bikini Kill, or Le Tigre finding inspiration in this album. Personally, it's right up my alley. It has that ultra-indie rock-band sound to it; experimental yet derivative (although that may be my own 2025 bias), with some extreme bursts of genius peaking out from behind the chaff. I will definitely be looking into other albums by Throwing Muses, which is exactly what I wanted from this project.

door nostalgie gekleurd verdient dit een 4

Definitely one of the better albums in the "random 80s post-punk" category. There's a lot of shit on this list that falls under that description, so it's nice to get one that I actually quite enjoyed.

Pleased to be introduced to this album and group. enjoyed how scattered the instrumentals were on this one

Before listening: Never heard of them, and looking at the wiki they're a post-punk band with a front woman, sounds interesting. Nothing against the album, but I'm confused why it's not officially on streaming anywhere. I'm interested in what this will sound like After listening: Okay so...I'm not 100% sure of my thoughts. This was interesting. I wasn't actually able to find one song, "stand up", so that is missing from my overall thoughts, but as a whole I think I liked it? or at least I liked what it was attempting and I acknowledge it's not entirely fully formed, as harsh as that might sound? Like, I see what it wants to be, and I see how much better it could be if given a few years? I honestly really want to check out their later stuff now, since this was their first album. I liked lyrics like "so you're in love and I'm indebted always" and "I only love pieces of things that I hate", as simple as they are I think they convey their ideas so succinctly. A harsher, more tragic lyric I liked was "How do they kill children? And why do I want to die? They can no longer move, I can no longer be still" speaking about an issue that's only gotten significantly worse, to the point "significantly" doesn't even feel like it truly encapsulates how awful mass gun violence has gotten. Dealing with the constant tragedies of the world while still trying to battle your own brain, which feels so trivial and unimportant compared to everything else. It's honestly interesting and quite sad how much that lyric still holds up in 2025. Anyway, to get off my high horse, I think I'm going to give this album a 3.75/5 and bump it up to 4. I know that's a bit generous, but this was a really really interesting album and group to look into. Also, I don't believe this list has any more of their albums, so this is my only real chance to give them a rating here. I'm honestly excited to look at more of their stuff. I don't think I will come back to this one too much though, just because of how difficult it is to access. Fave songs: "Green" and "Delicate Cutters"

Good!

Can see how neatly this fits between Souxie and The Pixies. Loved it

Surprisingly, I had never heard of this band until now, but overall I thought it was a pretty good album. To me, it clearly represents a specific stage in the evolution of alternative music. When I think of 80s bands with a strong female presence, like The Runaways, Babes in Toyland, X, and The Pretenders, this album feels like a natural next step. It works as a great bridge between that era and what would eventually become the female-led alternative and grunge bands of the 90s, such as Hole, L7, and The Breeders. It sits in the middle of that timeline, pulling in punk influence, raw and stripped down indie production, and tempos that lean toward early grunge and alternative rock. Since this is their debut, it definitely makes me curious to hear where they went from here and how their sound evolved after this album.

Unfortunately this was not on Spotify, but listening now on YouTube. Sounds awesome.

4.5

ou. é bão, hein. pqp na mesma pegada de siouxsie and the banshees e outras bandas oitentistas, mas original o suficiente pra influenciar uma caralhada de banda noventista hein. mto foda e ótimo album!! vou escutar mais vezes!!

Wow, this was a revelation to me. I had never really paid attention to this band when they started out and were in their prime. My loss. If you can get past Kristin Hersh's banshee wail of a voice on some of these songs, there's some very interesting stuff. I like how many of the songs change midway through into something completely different such as on "Rabbits Dying." It keeps the listener off balance in a good way and made me want to listen again. But, oof, that voice. Not an easy listen but a very good post-punk record.

od-li-čno! baca na trenutke na suzi i benšize. neočekivano dobro. nezamislivo mi je da je ovo američki bend. na neku foru podsjeća me i na bcnr, kao da je glas mjestimice ženska inačica ajzakovog glasa

who the fuck hid proto Sleater Kinney from me for my entire life this is incredible [the cowpunk songs in the back half also rock]

One those artists I'm vaguely aware of but never really investigated, well I'm glad to finally have a listen, very good, grity-folky-punky, not a 5 star for me but still very good, would explore further and seek a physical copy ⭐⭐⭐⭐

J'ai eu vraiment du mal à me stabiliser sur cet album. Je l'ai lancé 3 fois et j'en à chaque fois c'est pareil : je surkiffe les premiers sons et ensuite le caractère un peu crillard et chaotique me perd un peu et me fatigue, du coup je mets autre chose. Je pense rester sur un 4 pour la très bonne découverte, même si j'écouterais pas le disque en entier. J'ai vachement aimé le mix country-folk / post-punk psyché un peu décalé (qui s'incarne dans la manière de chanter que j'ai adorée dans les premiers titres, et la composition rythmiquement variée des morceaux) -> c'est prenant, dansant, avec une belle cohérence dans la vibe, et des percus vraiment sympa qui sonnent très bien et m'ont vachement emballée.

Almost impossible to find, but this was great fun. I can see the influence on so many punk bands that came later, but it’s just a great listen beside that.

this was a badass album. I liked it.

This album felt hand-picked for me, like the CD could have joined Jimmy Eat World’s Bleed American on repeat in my Pontiac Sunfire throughout the summer of 2003. “Half-Blast” has echoes of Siamese-Dream-era Smashing Pumpkins that immediately caught my ear as well. I played the album while entering grades, emailing, and texting late at work. I plan to listen to it again expressly for the lyrics, and it’s going on my list of LPs to acquire.

This is really great stuff. Lively, edgy. Great vocals, great instrumentation - unusual percussion!

Melodic then aggressive. Fragile then ferocious. The tracks are not typical and they weave from part to part in really interesting and unusual ways. My favourite track is 'Green', it has almost Kate Bush style vocal delivery. The way the vocals screech, squeal, scream, grumble, whisper and yelp is a real album highlight. Its a really unique kind of a post punk art rock and I dig it. 8/10

A real alternative introduction full of power and with unusual vocals. Rocks from start to finish. favourite: "Hate My Way", "America", "Soul Soldier" 3,5

Yeah this was a good punk rock album, love the vocalist. Wish it was on streaming so I could have some of the songs stick more as I'm out and on the go.

Sick album, the vocals were cool. First punk adjacent album so that's promising.

The whole thing was great. I don’t know how many women-fronted post punk bands there are but I can’t remember listening to one I haven’t liked. There was a ton of room for each instrument to shine and take the spotlight. Unique song structures that I know will just make repeat listens even better. I wish this was an easy one to buy in stores since it’s such a pain to find all in one place. This one will probably rise to a 5 star as time passes. Rating: 4.4

i've listened to plenty of alternative rock, punk rock music in this collection, so i was a bit concerned that this was going to be more of the weird, echoey nothing-sounding jangle rock that this platform occasionally subjects me to. thankfully this doesn't seem to be the case. this music is delightful strange, effortlessly bouncing from one realm to the next. the album is a window to a young woman's unfiltered frustrations. many tracks hit with a lot of nostalgic older listeners, and as a newcomer i absolutely feel that energy as well. very engaging and very impactful. while it lacks in some variation, the idea is mostly if not completely solidified. damn these ladies can wail.

Rad

Drullugott stelpupönk.

Fíla þetta. Hrátt og hressandi.

Sounds like a punk version of Tori Amos. Her quivering voice is very unique & adds a lot to the sound but can scream if need be. I am slightly annoyed by having to hunt for the album but it is what it is. This is a weird, fun album. Some of the songs seem to transition into another but its the same song. Dying Rabbit is a fine example of this: it starts out slow & somber then BAM something that sounds like a country hoedown with punk flare. Right back to slow & somber. Overall it was a pleasant surprise. I'm beginning to like punk more & more. I've never had anything against it, just never got fully into as other genres. I always found it simple musically but simple isn't bad. The old saying KISS: Keep It Simple, Stupid works with music too. 4

I listened to both the 1986 and 2003 albums titled throwing muses and really enjoyed both

Fun album. Not sure if I listened to the right one; I ended up finding it on youtube.

Loved it.

Æ vet ikke helt ka æ hadde venta mæ, men æ likte det!

Damn good album, especially for one this early.

O, przyjemne nawet. Po raz kolejny utwierdzam się w przekonaniu, że jak punk to tylko z damskim wokalem. Ma to wtedy fajny pazur i własny sznyt. 6.5/10 równane w górę, bo dość mam tej przeciętności na tej liście ostatnio.

this was really good i'm just sad it's not available on spotify

You’re missing out if you don’t listen to the full In A Doghouse compilation, the demos are almost the highlight.

So it turned out I listened to Throwing Muses' 2003 self-titled album instead of their debut as listed here. So I'll review that one instead. This one is all killer. Deserved an immediate re-listen. Maybe I'm just a sucker for alt rock, and naming your eighth album as self-titled is crazy work, but colour me thoroughly impressed by minute one from a band I'd never heard of before. fav tracks: Civil Disobedience, Mercury, Portia, Pandora's Box

I love it when an album is composed up of random noises which end up in a listenable lovely mess, but this one feels a bit too hard to listen.

Alright alright alright

Rhode Island! ⚓️

Got some punkier Pretenders vibes at times. Some of the better punk among a lot of not great on the list.

Sweet

Seeming a logical outgrowth of indie discovering itself and a totally new approach with punk at the core, the Muses are a road trip of discovery. You can hear what will become Sleater Kinney and the Pixies are fellow travelers. Obsessively intriguing, lyrically, vocally, and musically. Brilliant.

Unsure what to make of this. My inability to listen to it via my usual streaming service meant that I couldn't give it the attention I normally would, but even if I had, I think I'd still be a bit mystified. The songs don't have standard structure. The shifting time signatures, dense, quirky arrangements, close micing, and decidedly unfriendly melodies make for a claustrophobic listening experience. I can see why people were obsessed with this, though I'm not sure I'll be able to give this the attention it deserves to become a true fan. Still, there's a lot going on and much of it is interesting. So I guess what I'm trying to say is I don't know that I like it but I probably would if I gave it the attention it so clearly deserves.

i love this album, its like surreal punkesque and while it doesnt have any song that really can be called a hit, everything just has such a cool flow

I'm not sure if its either intentional or just because they were decently new to playing their instruments, guitar wise it feels simplified but in the best way possible, where nothing is overplayed in any way. I think this leads to some really unique and interesting guitar parts, which leads to them sounding quite modern. It could also be the punk influences. Vocals are and lyrics are great, she has a lot of personality and straightforwardness which makes it quite unique, its also somewhat southern, so parts feel slightly country. Favourite songs: all. Overall around 8/10

Good Songs: Pretty or Not, Civil Disobedience, Pandora's Box, Speed and Sleep, Portia, Solar Dip, Epiphany, Los Flamingoes, Half Blast, Flying Mid Songs: Mercury, Status Quo, Bad Songs:

Wow I really wish this was on Spotify or anywhere. Had to find a rip on youtube of the whole album as each song wasn't even available. A shame since this is an awesome album. I had never heard of them before but this is exactly why I wanted to do this list. Enough live albums. More interesting underground music.

This one is like a soft 4, like there are elements that are incredible and jam-worthy; on the other hand, there are things I don’t want or need to hear again.

I liked some of their stuff! This particular album wasn't available, so I used the "This is Throwing Muses" playlist on spotify

This is probably a 3.5 for me. I like the singer, but the guitar work lets her down. Most of the album feels underwhelming compared to contemporaries like Siouxsie Sioux, Bauhaus, Sisters of Mercy and others. The reason I'm bumping it up to a 4, though, is because I do feel the vocal melodies are interesting, and I will listen to this album again as well as their other work.

Not their best album but still great

Review three of the Easter blitz, Throwing Muses. Considering the heady list of muses detected – Cocteau Twins, The Smiths, Pixies, War-era U2, PJ Harvey, the Neil Young of “Sedan Delivery” – the fact Throwing Muses was news to me certainly threw me. I was immediately excited by this album’s sound, which despite that long list I just tapped out is very much all its own. Kristin Hersh’s stories are labyrinth structures, her lyrics weaving in and out of subjects drawn either from personal experience, the discourse of 90s identity politics or both (I suppose it’s always both). The collapsing of perspectives creates a collage of impressions; the effect is a sort of scrapbooking that puts me in mind of Naomi Klein’s writing. In the most direct moments (“… how do they kill children?”) the effect can be pretty devastating. “Green”, “Reel” and “Call Me” are standout tracks, but the record’s the sort that reveals new gems with each listen. I’m inspired.

Not too memorable

Atmospheric

Ny upptäckt, balla grejer.

Tracked it down, thanks to some other reviews. (The pic is correct; just listen to the first ten tracks.) I liked it. From the perspective of this British teen-in-the-80s, they seem to have had all the right sort of influences: Siouxsie, Toyah and janglier stuff like the Smiths, which is all good; maybe even a bit of Bauhaus in there, and a few other British bands whose names I forget. Echo and the Bunnymen. Cocteaus. But there is plenty of their own creativity in evidence, too. I can hear that they influenced artists like PJ Harvey, Tori Amos, Sinead O'Connor and lots of other 90s indie types. In summary - interesting indie guitar pop. Apparently, they're playing in Liverpool soon, so Kristin Hersh definitely gets credit from me for still rocking at 59. (Algorithms? - it was her birthday yesterday.)

For 1986. A band from RI. Too good to pass up

Always been a cool lp and they are one of those bands that helped define a sound for an era without going full sellout.

7/10

rather strange

Never heard of this band before. Love the punk sound, string vocals and variety of styles

Started off listening to their 2003 album by the same name... Weird choice -- also annoying this isn't on Spotify, but the Youtube upload is good quality at least. The biggest loss with Youtube is that I am loosing any reference point for song titles. Ultimately that's no major concern. I'm 14 minutes in and really enjoying the ride so far. I'd characterize this as warm post-punk. Really enjoy the production here. Instrument tones are clear and neatly layered into a comfy mix. Vocals err a bit crass, but it works all together. I'm a bit distracted with onboarding, etc. but this one felt really good to listen to. Plenty of variation, solid production, and enjoyable song structures. For me this is a mid-high 4.

Anemoia for an 80s University town

Pretty amazing debut and sound for the time.really taking a hold of different genres and pushing their own urgency on top of it. It feels honest and conflicted all at once.

Couldn’t stream this on Apple Music. Listened to their album “House Tornado” instead.

This was awesome and I had never heard it before. Love that early grunge sound with some pop punk added in for extra credit!

Very good album, I definitely need to check out their other work. Mid 4.

Really interesting, exciting album. Little surprises in every song...tempo changes, creative vocal choices, quiet-loud. Some of the songs (Green for example) sound incredibly modern.

Female lead pink but with a ton of attention paid to the music. Not just loud guitars, an actual punk soundscape. Top notch.

Wow, what a surprise this was! I had never heard of this band before, but they impressed me. Cool lyrics, variable tracks, unique singing voice. I felt like I was listening to A continuation of Siouxsie and the Banshees with more energy. Good stuff!

Not a band I was familiar with, but surprisingly solid. Cool style.

Alternative rock. Pretty good although the vocals were a little irritating at points.

Pretty interesting!

I like them, but I feel like the songs are very similar.

Okay so this is great! Two female lead albums in the past week, which I'm super happy about since women are so underrepresented in this list. I really enjoyed this despite having no idea what to expect. I really like the drums, they're really good. Overall: 4/5

great 90s indie rock progenitor- I was a fan of Belly in the mid 90s, but never gave Throwing Muses a go. my loss.

Rebel

Listened to Doghouse instead since the S/T isn’t on Spotify — good stuff

This is a difficult one because the actual album is very hard to find. The picture included on this site is NOT of an album called Throwing Muses. You can kinda find the right album on YouTube, but only like six songs, but in super awful audio quality, and a couple of the videos are live performances. So that wasn’t a very good representation. There’s a link here to supposedly the right album on Spotify, and indeed it IS an album called “Throwing Muses,” but it’s a completely different track listing than what is listed on Wikipedia. So idk! All their other albums seem easily available. No idea what’s up with this first one in particular. So instead of reviewing this album that I’m not sure I actually listened to, I’m going to review the general vibe of the band - which I really like!!! Female led post-punk is a sweet spot for me and I enjoyed what I heard a lot!

This was hard to find, but surprisingly cool! Similar to the B52s or Blondie. Love a good female lead for rock.

the end of the 90's reached pretty far into the aughts, and this record is proof. college radio rock turned up to 11. it didn't quite land its hooks in me, but i enjoyed the vibe and the time-flippy stuff they throw in to shake things up is pretty fun.

Folky post-punk about blowjobs. Hilariously inventive. Favourite tracks: Call Me, Hate My Way, Fear, Delicate Cutters, Reel

Seems like an early post punk album. Bit over the top with the drama at points, lyrics and voice , but overall an interesting album with a nice sortof subdued drama and hint of madness.

Punk women !!

I have to admit I wasn't fully paying attention to lyrics here, but musically, this was pretty rad. I'm a big fan of alt rock, especially when it's not totally uninspired.

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

Liked it. Listened to it twice cause I forgot that I did this one already but I could never forget the blowjob line

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.

This was an interesting one. It didn't grab me at first but won me over a quite a bit with is charms, and a second listen only furthered my enjoyment. Also had no issues finding it on Apple Music, although I chose to only listen to the original tracks.

I couldn’t find the chosen album on Spotify, so I listened to The Real Ramona instead, and it whipped ass. It burned the grass, stood me up against the glass, completed the pass, and sounded a little bit crass. I liked the album.

This was great. Heard of them but never listened before. Some similarities with X, a more punk B-52’s, an obvious influence on Sleater-Kinney.

Imagine listening to this as a university student in the mid-80s, before the world had ever heard of Frank Black or the Pixies, and it must have felt like an incredibly cool find. It's a very cool female-led band vibe to it, though it's maybe not something that would be that memorable. Still, cool to hear.

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.

Interesting, original

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.

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

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.

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

## 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.

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.

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

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.

Not really my style. But a fun listen.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Hmmm

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.

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

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.

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

Goated

4.0

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.

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.

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

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

"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.

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

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.

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.

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

Brilliant!

Love this. Singer's voice is great with the buzzy hard alt rock edge. Even the songs that are a bit challenging at first grow on me and i like the energy and noise delivered. Really enjoyed Epiphany and Portia, but good all the way through.

Wow, another hidden gem. Great songwriting that still holds up. I like how some songs change mid-song - speeding up or slowing down, or just change mood. (Hint: search for the full album on YouTube.)

Indiozinho legal! Vocal feminino! Gostei!!!

Vintage indie rock – gritty, tough and melodic – of a distinctive style that would prove pretty influential and is still a substantive and enjoyable listen today. One can make a case that the next few albums were every bit as good as this one. Caveat: don't listen to the self-titled record of the early aughts that pales compared to this.

I have missed it in its days, regrettably so. A blissful collection of energy, emotion, and most of all rawish punky well crafted songs. Really love it. Thanks!

I had never heard this band before. Very cool stuff. More similar to goth bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees than I had expected. I did get a bit tired of the vocal style after awhile though.

I've had a string of unknown, and crappy albums lately. When I saw this band, another that I've never heard of, and found I had to listen on YouTube in order to get the right record - I groaned. But this was awesome! I'm surprised this band never got bigger. Sounds way ahead of it's time for 1986. Reminds me in part of Black Country New Road which are one of the most beloved modern alternative/indie bands of late. Happy to be acquainted!

Damn this is a good one! Hate My Way is powerful song of teenage angst. Top tier there. This is a solid 4/5 album, to me. I was really surprised.

Superchulo. Es de una de Belly y The Breeders.

oeps listened to in a doghouse instead of throwing muses. Tag is wrong but the music was still fun. The throwing muses album is better tho. Pleasantly surprised I loved the punky vibe

I liked this. I wish it was on spotify so I could listen to it again, but I am probably not going to go through the effort to seek it out.

How the hell did this pass me by? It’s like it was made for me. A fantastic bit of post punk. Brilliant

Very pleasantly surprised

It’s a bummer this isn’t on Spotify because there were quite a few songs I’d revisit if I didn’t have to go on YouTube for them and it was a fun album in general. Turned out to be a blend of sleater Kinney type 90s alt rock and country that I enjoyed enough to not get pissy that I had to waste time on YouTube for it. Rabbits dying and fear were my top songs.

what a fucking find! absolutely hauntingly beautiful. not gonna lie, the first half of the album was a lot better than the second, but once you get into delicate cutters again it almost brought me to tears. very fresh and an amazing precursor to a lot of 90s shit. i agree with the other comments about the goats though. still, i WILL be downloading this shit onto my apple music. I think it's a 4.5 but i'm gonna round down. 1.) hate my way 2.) green 3.) call me

This is another band that I've heard of, but never listened to until now. It's easy to see why they were so influential, they have a sound that is both of the time, and years ahead of their time, if that makes sense. They sound like some sort of missing link between Patti Smith and Sleater Kinney, but also very like R.E.M.'s early albums. I can hear similarities to bands that came much later as well, like Sunny Day Real Estate, American Football, and even BCNR. I haven't gotten my head around the lyrics yet, but I'll definitely be listening to this again. Borderline 5 star for me, 8/10

A very cool, unique sound, but maybe not as polished as I'd like. Understandable for a debut album, but I like some of their later stuff a lot better like "The Real Ramona". This one tends to wander at points.

Das Album (es heißt übrigens “In a Doghouse”) der amerikanischen Indie Band ist eine Mischung aus Folk und Punk mit ordentlichen (“Hate My Way”, “Rabbits Dying”) aber auch mal anstrengenden Songs (“Vicky’s Box”, “America”). Ein bisschen klingt es wie die B 52’s. Am besten gefiel mir “Green”. Insgesamt ist da Album etwas zu unrund aber es wäre schade es trotz der anstrengenden Songs nicht mehr zu hören.

Punk made by people who can actually play and write… Pretty cool indeed!

This was a fun listen, there’s much better post punk albums though. Still pretty good though.

Quite good and ahead of its time, too bad it isn't on Spotify 3.9

Pretty darn good! Her voice was slightly abrasive at times, but I mostly enjoyed the edginess and the pathos. 7.5/10

The first Throwing Muses album I bought was Hunkpapa, (their third album) and though it was okay, I was underwhelmed and felt the production dulled it too much. My next purchase was the 2-CD compilation, In A Doghouse, (bought well over 20 years ago) that included the debut, an EP and The Doghouse cassette (on disc 2) that originally preceded the debut, which was basically the demo versions (then re-recorded for the debut). I was disappointed by the debut, but I much preferred the demo versions, as the sound was rawer, more energy. Listening again now with fresh and older ears, I enjoy the record more, maybe because I listened to more TM's music and have come to the conclusion their early albums are their best. I'm upping what I would have graded it back in the day by a star. Worth a listen and if you can find the compilation discs, buy it.

I definitely will listen to this again. I really enjoyed strong female singers.

Really dig this, softer more melodic punk

I was more familiar with their recent work and this was a good discovery. They were really more post-punk at the time, I also see a Siouxsie feeling in this album and it was overall nice to listen too. I prefer their most recent work (I love Purgatory/Paradise!) but this is first-class music anyway

I liked the style of this one a lot. It wasn't the best thing I've ever heard but I dig this genre. I think I need to listen to it again to better evaluate because I didn't listen in the best listening environment

Female led punk is pretty good. Great mixing of genres and styles, I like these guys. Listened up to Delicate Cutters as that’s where the original release ended.

Technically speaking Throwing Muses have two self-titled albums, one of which wasn't intentionally titled at all. This is that one. When one thinks about, when it comes to the trajectory of the label it was released on, this record set off a domino effect that is still felt to this day. Whether in the doghouse or not, Throwing Muses knew exactly what was needed to deliver a stellar record; poise, power and emotional volatility that would wound up spearheading a small yet vital revolution in the years ahead. https://youtu.be/E1Xd2jY3zWQ?si=T4ZJ8C_Yau1xyAVX Favorites: Call Me, Green, Hate My Way, Vicky's Box, Rabbits Dying, America (She Can't Say No), Delicate Cutters.

8/10 Just enough punk, just enough grit and best of all I've never listened to this album before this. Great discovery and it shames me that I haven't heard it sooner 5-9-2024

Pretty good