Throwing Muses

On the one hand, KRISTIN HERSH and mates are guilty of running in place: It's difficult to distinguish between the production and style of this LP with 1995's University. Indeed, one of Limbo's strongest efforts, "Ruthie's Knocking," sounds like a re-write of "Shimmer." Moreover, nothing grabs as much as the spine-tingling "Bright Yellow Gun" (the verse of "Shark" sure does, but the chorus is a letdown). Where is that momentum gained by Hersh's lovely, spine-massaging, career-best work, the 1994 solo LP Hips and Makers? On the other hand, with a singer/songwriter this distinctive, it's hard to find fault when the quality is so high, no matter how cloning of past albums. The middle troika of "Tar Kisses," "Tango," and the cello-kissed "Serene" are so pacifically poignant and idiosyncratic, it makes one feel like a greedy, spoiled brat to have desired anything more. Furthermore, the consistency of good stuff is higher than University's ups and downs. If this is the veteran Muses' idea of "limbo," then it's still a mighty productive one. ~ Jack Rabid, The Big Takeover, All Music Guide