Kristin Hersh at Newbury Comics - for Free!

While it might not seem possible judging from the creaky antics of bands like the Rolling Stones, there are some rock musicians who age well. Exhibit A would be Mission of Burma. Exhibit B would be Kristin Hersh, who will be performing at Newbury Comics on Newbury Street at 6:00 pm tonight.

Hersh's new record, Learn to Sing Like a Star, out on Yep Roc, is the latest in her 20-year career. Hersh, along with Tanya Donnelly, led the Throwing Muses before breaking out on her own. She's continued to release Throwing Muses records sans Donnelly, and she also started the rock combo 50FootWave.

Yep Roc has made Learn to Sing Like a Star available on their site as a streaming file, and, if swelling strings and raw vocals of the first track - "In Shock" - is any indication, the new record stands up to the excellent work of her past. If you listen closely, you'll also hear a clever twist on one of Olivia Newton-John's big hits in "Day Glow."

FYI, Yep Roc has streams of several full albums on their site so you can try before you buy. Pop treats the Apples in Stereo are on that label, and their new record will come out February 7, so keep an eye out.

Image of the cover of Learn to Sing Like a Star from throwingmusic.com.