by Heather Phares
Undaunted by the departure of Tanya Donelly to form her own group, Belly, Kristen Hersh continued Throwing Muses as a trio on the band's fourth album, Red Heaven. The pared-down lineup gives rock songs like &Furious& and &Backroad& a more powerful, muscular sound and pop tracks like &Dirty Water& and &Firepile& a crisp, spacious feel. Overall, Red Heaven is the Muses' most rock-oriented album since House Tornado, especially on songs like the Bob Mould duet &Dio,& &The Visit,& and &Rosetta Stone,& but the band's pace has slowed into a slinky, winding groove that is more solid and forceful than the volatile tempo shifts of its early work. However, the ballad &Pearl& rivals anything on Throwing Muses with its spooky unpredictability, and the charming, delicate &Summer St.& is one of Hersh's most endearing songs. One of Throwing Muses' finest albums, Red Heaven showcases Hersh's continuing development as a powerful and eclectic singer, songwriter, and guitarist.