10,000 Maniacs: Mary Ramsey (vocals, violin, viola); Jerome Augustyniak (vocals, drums, percussion); John Lombardo (acoustic & electric guitars); Robert Buck (electric guitar, sound effects); Dennis Drew (piano, Hammond B-3 organ, pump organ, synthesizers); Steven Gustafson (bass). <p>Recorded at Maniacs Home Studio, Jamestown, New York; Beartracks, Suffern, New York; Chameleon Studios and Ear Candy, Buffalo, New York; Armand's Living Room, Silver Creek, New York. <p>The Maniacs without Natalie Merchant? It can be done--and it has, with fine style. The Maniacs winsome, folk-rock-oriented sound is intact--in fact, the "folk" side has been accentuated this time around. Mary Ramsey (who also plays violin and viola) has the same kind of pretty, yearning quality to her singing that Merchant has, but is a little less earnest--her style is more relaxed. The band is still crisp and subdued. Their playing makes you remember the songs, not flashy musicianship. The album has a slightly jangly gem in the pensive yet catchy "Once A City" (a hit single if there is any justice), and a beautiful closer in the Sandy Denny/Fairport Convention classic "Who Knows Where The Time Goes." THE EARTH is proof that a good band can survive the departure of its frontperson.