Long before gangsta rap reared its bloody skull, there was the murder ballad--a deadly strain of folk music in which feral behavior was chronicled with matter-of-fact directness. Throwing Muses founder Kristin Hersh grew u... more »p hearing her parents sing Appalachian songs of death and damnation and, curiously, dusts off those antique tunes now that she's a mother. The tense, spinsterish American cousin of Nick Cave's Murder Ballads concept album, Murder, Misery and Then Goodnight offers up an assortment of vaguely familiar numbers ("Pretty Polly," "I Will Never Marry," "Banks of the Ohio") that are somehow simultaneously lulling and creepy. To her credit, Hersh remains true to herself and her repertoire, essaying the likes of "Down in the Willow Garden" and "Poor Ellen Smith" with a minimum of fuss. One can almost imagine her mopping up spilled blood in the pantry before she moves on to her daily dusting. --Steven Stolder« less
Long before gangsta rap reared its bloody skull, there was the murder ballad--a deadly strain of folk music in which feral behavior was chronicled with matter-of-fact directness. Throwing Muses founder Kristin Hersh grew up hearing her parents sing Appalachian songs of death and damnation and, curiously, dusts off those antique tunes now that she's a mother. The tense, spinsterish American cousin of Nick Cave's Murder Ballads concept album, Murder, Misery and Then Goodnight offers up an assortment of vaguely familiar numbers ("Pretty Polly," "I Will Never Marry," "Banks of the Ohio") that are somehow simultaneously lulling and creepy. To her credit, Hersh remains true to herself and her repertoire, essaying the likes of "Down in the Willow Garden" and "Poor Ellen Smith" with a minimum of fuss. One can almost imagine her mopping up spilled blood in the pantry before she moves on to her daily dusting. --Steven Stolder
CD Reviews
First impressions
R. Schouten | Nijkerk, GLD Netherlands | 05/17/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"They say first impressions are usually the best ones. I tend to dissagree most of the time but today I'm gonna go with it. I'm listening to this CD at the moment and the first thing that struck me was the seeming sweetness of the melodies. Then as the lyrics started seeping in, disturbing visions made me smile. One reviewer mentioned Tim Burton and I indeed feel he/she has a point. There's something magically twisted about this. Twisted and Humorous. All in all a wonderfully dark and sweet CD. Sorta like Nursery Rhymes for adults.Not for everyone since it's rather disturbing, but if you like dark humor definately get this.-Richard "go to sleep, go to sleep little baby...""
Flawless
titian3 | Ann Arbor, MI | 04/13/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the by far the most cherished CD I have bought in a long time.Kristin Hersh is, as ever, enchanting... her love for her kids touching and sweet. I am mesmerized with each and every note.(And, if you've ever heard your dad or someone you love sing songs like this, you will feel like you've been given a really great gift.)"
A must have for all Muses fans
titian3 | 02/22/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Kristin's take on classic Appalachian folk songs. An oral history of life in Appalachia. Beautiful voice with a little southern accent. Fun for the kids but demented enought for the adults"
Just Buy the Damn Thing
titian3 | 01/29/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Have been a fan of Kristin's/Muses for 10+ years and Kristin is one of the most consistant artists out there - good and great, but never bad. This is one of the most infectious records I've ever heard - you'll be singing along in no time - and you'll wish you had kids to sing it to."
May not please Kristin's fans, but folksters should try it
T. Morrison | Eagan, MN | 11/04/1998
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a morbid little gem from Kristin Hersh: a collection of Appalachian murder ballads, lullabyes and a couple odd songs. Having listened to this kind of music throughout my life, it's great to see that she's keeping these songs alive. However, given the radical difference from her past material, even some of her die-hard fans might be put off by this and buy it for their collections for the sake of completion. By the same token, I see this album as a way to introduce her to fans of off-kilter folk music, who might not have otherwise heard of her. In keeping with tradition, I wish there was less instrumentation on the album, but in some cases -- like the organ in "Banks of the Ohio" -- it creates a very effective mood. Kristin tempers the morbid subject matter with some really fun songs, like "Three Days Drunk" or "What'll We Do with the Baby-O." All in all, this album demonstrates how talented and well-rounded Kristin Hersh is musically."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1