Strange Angels

• Artist: Kristin Hersh
• Rating:
• Release Date: February 03, 1998
• Type: Lyrics are included with the album
• Genre: Rock

Review

Due to economic reasons, Kristin Hersh reluctantly disbanded the Throwing Muses in 1997, claiming that the trio could no longer afford to tour and record. So, she was essentially forced back to recording a solo acoustic album in the vein of Hips and Makers, her revelatory 1994 solo debut. Strange Angels isn't the equal of that minor masterpiece, partially because the songwriting, while solid, is a little samey, but also because Hersh sounds as if she'd rather be with the Muses. That's not to say her performances are bored -- they're often more inspired than the last Muses album, Limbo -- but they have a melancholy undertone and are occasionally a little listless. These, however, are minor flaws, because Strange Angels is overall a strong collection of songs. Hersh's obtuse, poetic lyrics remain a little impenetrable, yet her melodicism makes them intriguing, even for the curious. And for some longtime fans, that may be a problem -- Strange Angels is the most accessible album in her catalog, because her vocal idiosyncrasies are tamed and the production is a little too clean. Perhaps these are signs of maturity, or perhaps it's an attempt to gain a wider audience, but either way it's a mixed blessing, because the songs cry out for a more varied production to make the record more compelling. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Home	Kristin Hersh	Kristin Hersh	(3:13)
Like You	Kristin Hersh	Kristin Hersh	(3:23)
Aching for You	Kristin Hersh	Kristin Hersh	(3:49)
Cold Water Coming	Kristin Hersh	Kristin Hersh	(2:42)
Some Catch Flies	Kristin Hersh	Kristin Hersh	(3:27)
Stained	Kristin Hersh	Kristin Hersh	(3:20)
Shake	Kristin Hersh	Kristin Hersh	(2:33)
Hope	Kristin Hersh	Kristin Hersh	(3:28)
Pale	Kristin Hersh	Kristin Hersh	(1:49)
Baseball Field	Kristin Hersh	Kristin Hersh	(3:16)
Heaven	Kristin Hersh	Kristin Hersh	(2:27)
Gazebo Tree	Kristin Hersh	Kristin Hersh	(3:38)
Gut Pageant	Kristin Hersh	Kristin Hersh	(3:26)
Rock Candy Brains	Kristin Hersh	Kristin Hersh	(3:50)
Cartoons	Kristin Hersh	Kristin Hersh	(1:21)

Credits

Joe Henry (Producer), Joe Henry (Engineer), Kristin Hersh (Guitar), Kristin Hersh (Producer), Kristin Hersh (Main Performer), Ivo Watts-Russell (Executive Producer), Steve Rizzo (Producer), Steve Rizzo (Engineer), Vaughan Oliver (Design), Shinro Ohtake (Artwork), John Patrick Salisbury (Photography)