As the driving force behind student favourites Throwing Muses, Kristin Hersh used to be one of the leading lights of the American indie scene. In recent years, however, financial problems and domestic responsibilities have forced her to take an extended break from her music career. Now she's back - and, wonder of wonders, with two albums instead of one. The first is the long-awaited reunion with her old band, a raw, unvarnished affair that was recorded on a shoestring budget over the course of three weekends. Loud, chaotic and driven by nervous energy, it turns out to be as good as anything the Muses have ever done. In contrast, Hersh's new solo effort is an almost entirely acoustic set, slow, stately and often hauntingly beautiful. Clearly, this enigmatic woman has had her fair share of mental trauma in the past - and her mournful vocal performances manage to capture this without ever sliding into mawkishness. And as these two superb albums suggest, she may be that rarest of musical artists - one who actually improves with age.

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