Throwing Muses' Kristin Hersh doesn't write songs. "They wake me up at 4 o'clock in the morning and boss me around until they're done. They're a lot smarter than I am," she explains, making one wonder if she should really be taking the writing credit. At 29, she's been in Throwing Muses over half her life, ever since she started the band in Rhode Island at age 14. Never one to shy away from her demons, Hersh has always been open about the "circus in my head" that dictates her songs, though the voices she used to hear have stopped. She's also an amazing, impassioned guitarist who admits she sometimes just stares lovingly at her beloved '67 Strats. When those powerful chords meet her womanly/ childlike/ otherworldly voice, it's something sadly beautiful yet strong. Along with drummer David Narcizo and bassist Bernard Georges, Throwing Muses have never been easy to catagorize, which suits them just fine. 1995's University was a breakthrough of sorts, with striking commerical numbers like "Bright Yellow Gun." With their latest, Limbo, on their own Throwing Music/Rykodisc label, the sound is leaner, with cleaner guitars and daring melodies. As Hersh says, "I admire people who listen to Throwing Muses... it doesn't go down like syrup." - Libby Molyneaux

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