10,000 Maniacs

Although it is the band's strongest record, that doesn't mean that it's held up incredibly well. Political correctness and heavy messages are stretched to the breaking point while the smart, jangling, folk-pop arrangements are polished and re-polished. Still, "What's The Matter Here" and "Like The Weather" are simple pleasures.

10,000 Maniacs have always been a precocious band, with a sound and a sensibility far
wiser than their years. But with In My Tribe, the group has finally come into maturity. It isn't
simply that the songs are richer and more resonant this time around; the band itself seems
to have grown. From the opening chords of "What's the Matter Here?" it's clear that the
Maniacs' approach has been refined. The sound is full and diffuse, with Robert B... More >

Natalie Merchant's nasal art-folk drawl isn't altogether intolerable, and her "Peace Train" cover sets up dippier expectations than her new lyrics deserve. Signalling her professionalism by deprivatizing her metaphors, she actually says something about illiteracy, today's army, and cruelty to children. In private, however, she remains a Cat Stevens fan with a nasal art-folk drawl. (Grade - B-)