I’ve written here on IVM (and elsewhere) about the so-called ‘holy trinity’ of jangle pop (I mean the term playfully, no disrespect intended), which includes three Christian bands that all start with the definite article: The Walk, The Swoon, and of course The Throes. Each of these bands offered something unique and worthwhile to the genre, but The Throes had the most longevity.
The band formed in northern Virginia/DC suburbs in the late 80s, and by 1989 had issued a critically acclaimed, if sparsely available, demo cassette Era of Condolence. I remember reading about the tape in Rad Rockers catalogs, True News, and so forth long before I had a chance to hear the band. That opportunity came after R.E.X. Music signed the band and released their absolutely amazing debut All the Flowers Growing in Your Mother’s Eyes.
The combination of the jangly guitars, the vocal harmonies, and intelligent lyrics made the album a difficult one to follow up. However, follow up they did, releasing three more albums across the next 6 years, and making appearances at festivals and multiple tours along the way. In fact, I got to see the band play their first national tour in about 1991/92 in Chattanooga, Tennessee my freshman year of college.
I love this album so much that it’s really difficult to choose only one song to feature. In the end, I’ve gone with “Tell,” which I believe is the first song I ever heard from the band. The song juxtaposes the loneliness of being alone with the need to be able to talk to someone about their true feelings.
When you reel, tell your brothers how you feel,
Take the time and make your mind,
Make your senses real.
When you’re tired and away, and there is no one who can make you stay alone, stay alone.
When you sleep, dream the dreams that you keep,
Take the time and make your mind,
Look and try to sleep.
When you’re tired and away, and there is no one who can make you stay or make you feel alone.
When you heal, tell your brothers how you feel,
Take the time and make your mind,
Make your senses real.
When you’re tired and away, and there is no one who can make you stay alone, stay alone,
When you’re tired and away, and there is no one who can make you stay or make you feel alone.
Check out the song, and then do yourself a favor and listen to the whole album, especially if you like that 90s jangly alternative sound.
