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

Related bands:
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.

After listening to Juliana's Pony: Total System Failure, one of two new discs from alternative rocker Juliana Hatfield, her "angry white chick" label has an appropriate feel to it. While the music is occasionally difficult to embrace, to say the least, this clever lyricist serves some cheeky zingers, exploring everything from road rage in "Road Wrath" to the inappropriate titular attire of "Leather Pants."

When you can discern the lyrics, it is apparent Juliana makes some interesting and admirable choices, but her lovely vocals are too often obscured by harsh instrumentation. "Let's Get Married" and "My Protégée," offer moments of coherence and remind the listener that when on her game, the singer can rock with the best of them. "The Victim" indicts poor life choices and moral turpitude: "how do you get up in the morning/another wasted life, it's so boring."

The artist proffers unsolicited redemption in the stellar "Noblesse Oblige" as she sweetly wails, "you put your greatest chance away/but still I really want to say/I forgive you." The final track, "Ten Foot Pole" suggests self-esteem issues of the highest order, "I've got no diseases that I know of."

The best advice would be for Juliana fans to pony up for this CD to complete the collection. For the rest, unless you prefer your jagged pill horse-sized, treat yourself to some earlier Hatfield creations or the lovely Beautiful Creature, the other of her two new discs.

If you like Juliana Hatfield, check out:
Juliana Hatfield Beautiful Creature
Sheryl Crow Sheryl Crow
Ani DiFranco To The Teeth
Kristin Hersh Sky Motel

-- Paul Barras