10,000 Maniacs blended jangly college‑rock guitars with Natalie Merchant’s unmistakable voice, creating a sound that felt both literate and effortlessly melodic. Their records carry a gentle political conscience and a warm, folky shimmer that rewards repeat listening. From In My Tribe to Our Time in Eden, the band carved out a thoughtful, quietly powerful corner of ’80s and ’90s alternative music.