Murder, Misery and Then Goodnight
Kristin Hersh · 1998
31 min · 12 tracks · alternative rock
Acoustic arrangements intertwine with haunting vocals, creating an atmosphere steeped in melancholy and dark storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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Down in the Willow Garden — This opening track sets the tone with its eerie narrative about love and death, showcasing Hersh's ability to blend haunting melodies with dark themes.
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Poor Ellen Smith — A chilling retelling of a tragic tale, this song highlights Hersh's knack for storytelling through vivid imagery and evocative lyrics.
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I Never Will Marry — This track stands out with its stark emotional resonance and simple yet powerful arrangement, emphasizing the heartache woven throughout the album.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- intimate storytelling through ballads
- steady pacing for reflective moments
- haunting melodies for quiet evenings
- short tracks inviting replay
- melancholic themes for somber moods
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of upbeat tempos
- prefer standalone energetic tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By 1998, Kristin Hersh had already established herself as a significant voice in alternative rock through her work with Throwing Muses and her solo projects. 'Murder, Misery and Then Goodnight' marks her second solo album, following her debut 'Hips and Makers' in 1994. This release further solidified her artistic identity as she explored themes of death and despair.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Liz Phair· Neko Case· Sharon Van Etten
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Poor Ellen Smith
The narrative shifts to a climactic moment where the protagonist confronts their tragic fate directly.
This pivot not only deepens the emotional impact but also reinforces Hersh’s skill in crafting tension through lyrical progression.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Down in the Willow Garden 4:54
- 2 I Never Will Marry 2:31
- 3 Sweet Roseanne 3:02
- 4 Poor Ellen Smith 2:10
- 5 Pretty Polly 2:05
- 6 Little Birdy 2:13
- 7 Mama's Gonna Buy 2:19
- 8 Fly Around My Blue Eyed Girl 1:21
- 9 Banks of the Ohio 3:36
- 10 Three Nights Drunk 2:00
- 11 What'll We Do With the Baby-o 2:19
- 12 Whole Heap of Little Horses 2:49
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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