Hersh once again finds her 'muse'

If Kristin Hersh has used her solo career to further show off her pensive, spooky side, she uses her band Throwing Muses to show off her rocking side. The Muses are one of those bands that actually got better once they signed to a major label, as their work became less esoteric and more accessible. 1992's Red Heaven was darn near a hard rock record with Bob Mould wailing away in a guest spot. Three years later, they released University, which had a radio hit in "Bright Yellow Gun."\nReleasing their first album since 1996, the commercial landscape for "alternative rock" is now more like it was for those first few Muses records in the mid-to-late '80s. While the new record isn't so radio-friendly, Hersh is still a wonder with her stream-of-consciousness lyrics and underrated guitar playing. She has a jarring guitar lick for every jarring lyric. Coupled with unexpected time signature changes, Hersh is what would happen if Doug Martsch and Joni Mitchell had a daughter and the rhythm section of Bernard Georges and David Narcizo remain first-rate. Released simultaneously with Hersh's solo record The Grotto, these two records continue to show off a true multifaceted talent.