The Throes - "12 Before 9"

The Throes - 12 Before 9
1995, Rode Dog

1. So Controversial
2. Circles of the Wheel
3. It Bothers Me
4. Mess With Me
5. Words
6. 12 Before 9
7. Confidence Man
8. Reckless Feeling
9. We'll Breathe
10. Stunned
11. So Controversial (reprise)
12. - blank track-
13. C Is For Cookie
14. Words (reprise)
15. Bye-bye

I have some pretty vivid memories of this album. I remember it was spring...around Memorial Day, I think. I remember that I was really having problems sleeping during this period in my life. I'd stayed up most of the night playing Super Metroid. Anyway, I remember my impression of this album being... not very great. I remember thinking it didn't really "sound" like The Throes. I don't know why I felt this way. I also remember that I thought "Words" and "C Is For Cookie" were the best songs on here. So what do I think of this today? Well, I do enjoy it a little more than I did then, but it's never going to be as good as the first two albums. I still hold to the opinion that "Words" is the best track. I think the band agrees with me because it's on here twice. "Reckless Feeling" is about sex. I think the band was trying to court a little controversy because of it and the other song, "So Controversial." Though I don't think there was really very much actual controversy. Definitely not my favorite Throes disc by a long shot. Not as terrible as I thought when I was a teen, but not super great either.

Useless Fact: The band shrinks back down to a three-piece band after being a five-piece band for Fall On Your World. 

The Throes - "All the Flowers Growing in Your Mother's Eyes"

The Throes - All the Flowers Growing in Your Mother's Eyes

1990, REX

1. Black Birds

2. All the Flowers Growing in Your Mother's Eyes

3. Just One Moment

4. Love is an Ocean

5. Eyes of My Sisters

6. Skin Kings

7. Tell

8. Nature and the Soul

9. Inside View

10. All Alone

11. Sea Song

12. Passion Flower

Frequent commenter, Ricky H., cited The Throes' debut as his personal favorite. Since it was relatively cheap and easy to get I figure I'd check it out for myself. One thing I immediately noticed was how good the instrumentation is. Harold Evans is doing more than just keeping time with his drumming and I can see why he was so missed on later albums. I also have to tip my hat to bassist Joy Gewalt as her lively bass lines inject these songs with some personality, especially on the funky "Inside View." It's really too bad these two didn't stick around longer. Most of this disc is fairly upbeat alternative rock that reminded me a lot of the Prayer Chain's Whirlpool EP even though this predated it by two or three years. It kind of surprised me given how moody Fall on Your World is though that's probably because Harold Evans wrote most of the songs on this disc. While I don't think this will overtake Fall as my favorite Throes disc, it's far better than 12 Before Nine or American Afro. My only regret is that I didn't pick this up when it first came out. Thanks for the suggestion Ricky!

Useless Fact: The Throes appeared on a REX compilation CD called "Argh!" which also featured thrash bands like Believer, Living Sacrifice, The Lead, and Sacrament. Seems like quite a gear shift if you ask me.

The Throes - "Fall On Your World"

The Throes - Fall On Your World

1993, Glasshouse

1. Say Hello

2. Tangerine Leaves

3. Noose of Trust

4. Way Too Much

5. Jordan

6. Oh Well

7. Pain of the Next

8. Blow Out the Candle

9. Where is the Fire?

10. For the Honesty

11. Wake-Up Call

12. Sounds Like Heaven

If you're a regular reader of this blog you've probably guessed that I may be a little unbalanced. I tend to like the albums that fans usually despise. Well... guess what? Fall On Your World is considered the black sheep among The Throes' albums. Even William Campbell himself has said that he hates this record. So yeah... I love it. I really don't see what's so wrong with it. It took me some time to get used to Campbell's odd vocal style but other than that I thought it was some good, moody alt rock. This one gets a little dark especially in songs like "Noose of Trust" and "Oh Well" but that never bothered me either. What's really weird is that all the other Throes discs that everyone says are great I don't really care for. Didn't like 12 Before 9 nor did I like Afroamericaasiwhateveryoucallit.

Useless Fact: Glasshouse records was either Derry Daughtery's or Steve Hindalong's (both from The Choir) record company. They both contribute some backing vocals to the disc.