1986: Kristin Hersh & Tanya Donelly Explode Onto The Scene With Throwing Muses Debut Album

Celebrating It's 30th Anniversary, Throwing Muses Self Tilted Debut Showcases Step Sisters Genius

 

Kristen Hersh and Tanya Donelly are step-sisters who are both extremely talented guitarist, song writers, performers, and vocalist. Although both have their own uniquely wicked sound, it's easy to see they were similarly influenced. Together with bandmates Leslie Langston and David Narcizo, the Throwing Muses rip through ten energized tracks on their album. The band shows just how ahead of the times they are, as many songs sound like they could have easily come from the later 90's Grunge scene. Creativity is one of the things these girls never run short on, not in their work with Throwing Muses, nor in any other solo endeavors. To hear how the Throwing Muses boldly introduced themselves to the world please continue reading.

 

The Throwing Muses have always been know for their craftily constructed songs. You never know what to expect going into a Throwing Music song, sometimes they can sound like three different songs interweaving to one, back and forth, twisting and turning unexpectedly. Never does this come off as cluttered or distracting, unless is was intended too! Kristen Hersh handles most of the lead vocals, guitar work and song writing on the album. This bold bandleader would later start another side band, 50 Foot Wave, all while maintaining a long standing solo career. Hersh's step-sister, Tanya Donelly, also has a long standing solo career, aside from being an original member of The Breeders, and the bandleader of Belly. The amount of authentically diverse music credited to their combined discography is astonishing! Both achieve a 3 Level Rebelle this year, and being as though their debut is only 30 years old, that is pretty impressive! A great song to share first is "Soul Soldier", as it well displays all the Muses many talents.

Kristen Hersh and Tanya Donelly harmonize so wonderfully together. They both possess the unique ability to easily bounce from wicked to sweet, as if to look at you with an icy cold stare only to warmly embrace you. Another perfect example of that is the albums opening track "Call Me.

Many of the albums other songs are of similar dangerously playful execution, such as "Fear", Stand Up" and "America". The Muses definitely dabble in the darker side of things on the album as well. Whether sounding gloomy and intense, like with the uncomfortably touching "Delicate Cutters", or bright and bouncy, like with the morbid Rockabilly inspired "Rabbits Dying", they do dark well. With it's good mixture of both of these songs qualities, and just another dabble of dark, we have "Hate My Way".

A bold song on the album is "Vicky's Box". It catches your attention immediately with it's opening line "He won't ride in cars anymore, it reminds him of blowjobs, that he's a queer". It carries on in the traditional Muses manner, and just when you may think the song is reaching it's end, Kristen Hersh let's you know it's not over yet, with a wickedly exclaimed "welcome home", and the songs bursts off into a new direction.

Tanya Donelly takes her turn on lead vocals on the track "Green". Whereas Kristin masters the sinister ice queen approach, Tanya creates more of a seemingly innocent ice princess. The song is brilliant, especially considering it is her first effort as matriarch. A queen, a princess, a matriarch..... it doesn't matter, so long as the end result is Throwing Muses Rule!