Where was I?
Keith Dale Clabaugh | Piermont, NY USA | 11/17/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I can't remember where I was when I first heard Kristen Hersch and Throwing Muses. I'm not even sure what made me go out and purchase "University", but there it was, popped into my CD player - again, and again, and again, and again. I couldn't find anyone to share my enthusiasm over this record and was fairly dumbfounded as to why TM was not on the lips of every indy rocker out there. Just mine. But that was okay, because I had found something that no one else had or seemed to appreciate. "University" was a turning point for me, as I had finally discovered music that somebody made that seemed to be made just for me. I didn't care if others didn't share my enthusiasm, or didn't think it was the best thing they've ever heard. It just didn't matter. What mattered was there was a band out there that didn't care, either. They just made music that made them feel good, and didn't give a damn that they weren't cracking the top 40. And that made me feel good, too."
Direct , poisonous rock
giovanni | Greece | 09/14/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's a depressing thought really , that more people on this earth own a Goo Goo Dolls cd than a Throwing Muses one . Unlike the various one hit wonders of our times though , the Muses' music always had the ability to stay for a long long time in the minds and hearts of the listeners who chose to explore it .
Their 1995 offering " University " is one of the most sharp rock records of that year . Kristin Hersh powerfully perfomes some of the tracks in a serial killer-like style ( " Bright Yellow Gun " , " Shimmer " ) and others almost sounding in pain ( " Hazing " , " Flood " ) . The tittle track is a haunting instrumental piece which feels like child ghosts playing hide and seek while " Teller " is probably the album's discreet highlight . The most suprising track though must be " Snakeface " where the band lets loose and delivers a sly , highly addictive melody .
None of the Muses' albums ever reached the top 20 but that is mostly because they themselfs seem to prefer to be rock's most enigmatic underdogs capable of remarkable things . Overall , " University " is first-class stuff , full of satanic riffs and arresting vocals . Sadly out of stock in amazon.com , this is one for you to pick up right away.
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