Hips and Makers
Encyclopedia
Hips and Makers is the debut solo album
by Kristin Hersh
, best known as the primary singer and songwriter of the band Throwing Muses
. In contrast to Hersh's rock-oriented work with Throwing Muses, the album is primarily acoustic, with Hersh usually playing unaccompanied. Other credited musicians include Jane Scarpantoni
on cello
and Michael Stipe
of R.E.M., who sings backing vocals on the opening track, "Your Ghost
." In addition to Hersh's own material, the album features a cover of the traditional song "The Cuckoo
." The album peaked at #7 in the UK Album Charts, the highest placing of any of Hersh's offerings on her own or with Throwing Muses.
raved that "[a]t once oppressive and impressive, [it] signals a rejuvenation for Hersh's muse" while Rolling Stone
called it "[l]uminous, alluring and slightly menacing". On the other hand, Robert Christgau
was neutral and didn't write anything about it beyond that. But Allmusic was more positive noting the material was of an "intensely personal nature" and offered with "a despairing and introspective tone that fails to submerge her considerable inner strength and fortitude".
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
by Kristin Hersh
Kristin Hersh
Kristin Hersh is an American singer/songwriter who performs solo acoustic concerts; she also continues to perform as lead singer and guitarist for alternative rock group Throwing Muses and the hardcore punk-influenced power trio 50 Foot Wave...
, best known as the primary singer and songwriter of the band Throwing Muses
Throwing Muses
Throwing Muses is an alternative rock band formed in 1981 in Newport, Rhode Island, that toured and recorded extensively until 1997, when its members began concentrating more on other projects. The group was originally fronted by two lead singers, Kristin Hersh and Tanya Donelly, who both wrote the...
. In contrast to Hersh's rock-oriented work with Throwing Muses, the album is primarily acoustic, with Hersh usually playing unaccompanied. Other credited musicians include Jane Scarpantoni
Jane Scarpantoni
Jane Scarpantoni is a classically trained cello player who has played on a number of alternative rock albums.She was a member of Hoboken, New Jersey's Tiny Lights in the mid-'80s, then went on to play with other musicians especially those associated with the Hoboken underground rock scene of the...
on cello
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
and Michael Stipe
Michael Stipe
John Michael Stipe is an American singer and lyricist. He was the lead vocalist of the alternative rock band R.E.M.Stipe is noted and occasionally parodied for the "mumbling" style of his early career as well as his social and political activism. He was in charge of R.E.M.'s visual image; often...
of R.E.M., who sings backing vocals on the opening track, "Your Ghost
Your Ghost
"Your Ghost" is the first track from Kristin Hersh's debut solo studio album Hips and Makers. It features additional backing vocals from Michael Stipe of R.E.M....
." In addition to Hersh's own material, the album features a cover of the traditional song "The Cuckoo
The Cuckoo (song)
"The Cuckoo" is a traditional English folk song. It has been covered by many musicians in several different styles. An early notable recorded version was performed by Appalachian folk musician Clarence Ashley with a unique banjo tuning....
." The album peaked at #7 in the UK Album Charts, the highest placing of any of Hersh's offerings on her own or with Throwing Muses.
Reception
Critics were mostly positive about Hips and Makers on its release. SpinSpin (magazine)
Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard...
raved that "[a]t once oppressive and impressive, [it] signals a rejuvenation for Hersh's muse" while Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
called it "[l]uminous, alluring and slightly menacing". On the other hand, Robert Christgau
Robert Christgau
Robert Christgau is an American essayist, music journalist, and self-proclaimed "Dean of American Rock Critics".One of the earliest professional rock critics, Christgau is known for his terse capsule reviews, published since 1969 in his Consumer Guide columns...
was neutral and didn't write anything about it beyond that. But Allmusic was more positive noting the material was of an "intensely personal nature" and offered with "a despairing and introspective tone that fails to submerge her considerable inner strength and fortitude".
Track listing
All tracks composed by Kristin Hersh; except where indicated- "Your GhostYour Ghost"Your Ghost" is the first track from Kristin Hersh's debut solo studio album Hips and Makers. It features additional backing vocals from Michael Stipe of R.E.M....
" – 3:16 - "Beestung" – 3:08
- "Teeth" – 4:10
- "Sundrops" – 4:02
- "Sparky" – 1:29
- "Houdini Blues" (Kristin Hersh, William James Hersh) – 4:26
- "A Loon" – 4:18
- "Velvet Days" – 3:52
- "Close Your Eyes" – 5:27
- "Me and My Charms" – 4:16
- "Tuesday Night" – 3:03
- "The Letter" – 2:47
- "Lurch" (0:36)
- "The CuckooThe Cuckoo (song)"The Cuckoo" is a traditional English folk song. It has been covered by many musicians in several different styles. An early notable recorded version was performed by Appalachian folk musician Clarence Ashley with a unique banjo tuning....
" (Traditional; arranged Kristin Hersh) – 2:12 - "Hips and Makers" – 3:19
Personnel
- Kristin Hersh - guitar, vocals
- Jane ScarpantoniJane ScarpantoniJane Scarpantoni is a classically trained cello player who has played on a number of alternative rock albums.She was a member of Hoboken, New Jersey's Tiny Lights in the mid-'80s, then went on to play with other musicians especially those associated with the Hoboken underground rock scene of the...
- cello - Michael StipeMichael StipeJohn Michael Stipe is an American singer and lyricist. He was the lead vocalist of the alternative rock band R.E.M.Stipe is noted and occasionally parodied for the "mumbling" style of his early career as well as his social and political activism. He was in charge of R.E.M.'s visual image; often...
- vocals on "Your Ghost" - Vaughan OliverVaughan OliverVaughan Oliver is a British graphic designer based in Epsom, South of London. Oliver is most noted for his work with graphic design studios 23 Envelope and v23...
- artwork
Links
- Hips and Makers at MyspaceMyspaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
(streamed copy where licensed)