at a glance...

Hometown: Cambridge, MA
First Recordings: 1992

Members:
Juliana Hatfield -guitars, bass, keyboards, harmonica, vocals
Jason Sutter -drums
John Thomasson -bass
David Garza -lead guitar, bass, Farfisa, piano
Damon Richardson -drums
Duke Roth -cello
Brian Brown -electric piano
Wally Gagel -programming, bass, keys, guitar, drums
Scott Litt -drums
Michael Hale -drums, percussion
Andy Kravitz -drums, keyboards
Jim Boggia -guitars, background vocals

Bands in the family :
Blake Babies, Susannah Hoffs, Lemonheads, Aimee Mann, Juliana's Pony, Juliana Hatfield Three

Notes:
Juliana Hatfield was raised in an affluent household in Massachusetts. After learning to play piano as a child, she played in a covers band in high school called The Squids. Soon, she discovered alternative rock through the Velvet Underground. She attended Berklee College of Music where she studied voice after completing high school. She formed the trio The Blake Babies in 1986 with whom she performed until 1990 when Juliana disbanded the group. Hey Babe was her successful debut which led to a recording contract with Atlantic. The moderate hit release Become What You Are and the so-so Only Everything followed in 1993 and 1995, respectively. 1998 heralded the release of the full-length Bed which had been preceded a year earlier by the EP Please Do Not Disturb.

Juliana Hatfield is among a growing number of disenfranchised singer-songwriters who have yet to find a wide audience for their worthy music offerings. Beautiful Creature is an exquisite collection of thoughtful lyrics and lovely harmonies. Hatfield projects a dichotomy of emotion on this disc. She alternates between dejected disillusionment and cautious confidence.

More often than not, Juliana pines melodically. Heartbreaking "Hotels" and "When You Loved Me" demonstrate that Hatfield has an easily bruised, longing soul. Arguably, the most hauntingly poignant song is the quiet "Until Tomorrow." Lines like "give us this day/just let me borrow some time/so we can say goodbye," delivered with singer's perfectly pitched vocals, ache with bereaved sweet sorrow. The engaging "Chose Drugs" laments the destructive hold of addiction at the expense of love.

Giddy pop arrangements with lyrical swagger such as "Might Be In Love" strongly suggest that this chanteuse will not ultimately succumb to despair. "Somebody Is Waiting For Me" is Hatfield's lovely, hopeful assertion of better days while the pulsing "Daniel" exposes our tendency to focus on surface rather than substance in relationships.

One can only hope Hatfield continues to nurture this softer, less instrument-driven side. There are few recordings as emotionally incisive as this work -- listening is like talking with a sage old friend. Indeed, this Creature comforts.

If you like Juliana Hatfield, check out:
Juliana Hatfield Juliana's Pony: Total System Failure
Cindy Bullens Somewhere Between Heaven and Earth
Lisa Loeb Tails
Aimee Mann Bachelor #2
Natalie Merchant Ophelia
Jill Sobule Pink Pearl
Elliott Smith XO

-- Paul Barras