This came out in 2005 — or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
“You know what? You know what? You know what?” asks Kristin Hersh on her latest disc. “Shut the f—k up!” And she means it.
The Throwing Muses singer-guitarist kicks out the jams on Golden Ocean, the turbocharged debut full-length from her newest power trio 50 Foot Wave. Hands-down the loudest, fastest and fiercest work of the mercurial 38-year-old songwriter’s lengthy and varied career, the 11-track set unleashes a massive tsunami of grinding guitars and thunderous rhythmic intensity (partly supplied by Muses bassist Bernard Georges and a powerhouse drummer who gives Dave Grohl a run for his money). The crowning glory, of course, is Hersh herself, who spews her disturbing lyrics (“I’ve never been afraid to die”) in a razor-blade howl and with the sort of feral, undiluted aggression that makes Kittie seem like Karen Carpenter. And makes 50 Foot Wave sound like the missing link between Hüsker Dü and Come. So shut your piehole and listen — if you know what’s good for you.
