Anthology, the first retrospective collection of Throwing Muses material, was released on the 25th anniversary of their (first) self-titled record, a stammering, brutal masterpiece that managed to capture both late adolescent angst and feelings well beyond its years. Neither an exhaustive box set nor a greatest-hits collection, Anthology is more like mixtape personally compiled by the band, making a very characteristically Muses argument for the personal over the canonical, for a song’s appeal as something that's more subjective than objective. It eschews chronology and omits some of their most popular tracks (there’s only one song on here from 1991’s The Real Ramona-- and it’s the deep cut "Two Step"), Anthology is still an accessible entry point to the band’s formidably deep catalogue-- for the already initiated, it’s a relatively taut refresher. To some people, the word Anthology might promise something bigger or more definitive than what the Muses have given us here, but most fans will appreciate the personal flourishes all over this collection (especially Hersh's always poetic liner notes). Anthology isn't exactly a totemic bookend to Throwing Muses' long and lively career, but as the band’s 2003 record and upcoming reunion tour suggest, maybe there’s still too much life in them for a definitive ending. (excerpted from Pitchfork) User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.