One of the most strikingly original bands of the college rock era and beyond, Throwing Muses unite post-punk, folk, and country in cathartic and intuitive ways. The group's stunning 1986 debut presented their music at its most startling: Kristin Hersh's mercurial voice and lyrics drove their songs' sudden yet organic shifts in mood and tempo, while Tanya Donelly's vocals and guitar contained fleeting hints of pop sweetness. Later on, Throwing Muses added more hooks and structure, however, the band's album sales never matched their critical acclaim, leading Hersh to concentrate on her solo career and her power trio 50 Foot Wave. Whenever Throwing Muses resurfaced (beginning in 2003), it felt like an event, as well as a reminder of just how distinctive they were from their contemporaries.