Throwing Muses |
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Everyone appreciates Throwing Muses, right? Okay, I admit that they were hard work at times. Ever since their first demos a mere 20 years ago they have pushed the boundaries of alternative rock and released numerous albums to challenge the average listener. Of course, this can scare off anyone looking for a cheap thrill; Muses have never really catered to the pop charts like that. Instead they reward persistent fans with gems that only unleash their powers once they’ve been nurtured appropriately.
At least, that is how the system worked until 1997 when the band was forced to lock up the shop due to lack of finances and Kristin Hersh embarked full time on a solo career. It wasn’t until 2000 that the Muses name was reborn with 2 special shows taking place and another following in 2001. No-one really expected a new album to evolve from them though.
In fact, this second coming could easily sneak by the average music fan completely unnoticed. Throwing Muses may have influenced too many bands to name, but their reformation cannot set fire to the media in the same way a new Pixies album could. It would not even steal as many column inches as the Breeders release did in 2002 as there is no internal story to latch onto. No fighting, no drug abuse — Kristin Hersh is almost punished for being such a prolific artist.
However, leaving aside the lack of media fanfare, in a time of retrospective albums and compilations, Throwing Muses have created a greatest hits effort made up of entirely new songs. These 12 tracks manage to capture the essence of all their previous albums into one neat package of sound
With loud guitars, time changes, twisting chord progressions, tight drumming, and soaring vocals, anyone who merely knows the acoustic work of Hersh may leave the room shocked. Recorded over just two weekends, the energy is abundant and the distortion heavy, with the song-writing craft remaining strong throughout.
Songs such as “Pandora’s Box” and “Mercury” are aggressive but with well-defined melodies that risk being trapped in your head for weeks. Guesting on the album is former member Tanya Donelly, providing vocal back-up and wrapping her melodies around the lead vocals from Hersh.
The album is too strong to allow individual songs to be singled out as best. Each has strengths and rather than having just the one catchy single, any track could be your favourite. It is as relevant to anything happening in the current indie rock climate as they were originally in the 80’s or 90’s. Who needs media buzz when you have music as good as this?
Steven McCarron
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