In Exile Deo [Import]

I got the album the day it came out. I was anticipating its release for quite a while. And, I was disappointed. You know when someone resorts to putting a recording of a dog barking in one of their songs...well, it was painful to listen to. The songs are just so cheesy and typical.
And not what I expected at all.
I'll just keep listening to Only Everything.
That's the brilliant album.
If you don't have any of her stuff, buy that one first.

These days I could take or leave Juliana's soft sound. I prefer her rocking out loud-n-dirty because, despite any guitar hero riffs or sarcastic sneer, she's always undeniably feminine too. Why can't fans accept a female rocker? Why does she have to slow down to become some cute vulnerable waif to be accepted? This latest solo album gives me mixed feelings. I read reviews here lauding the slower songs, songs I could take or leave, meanwhile they're ripping on the heavier songs that I actually prefer. My first impressions are that "In Exile Deo" has a great fast-moving opener, "Get In Line". From there it settles back into fairly good driving music. "Dirty Dog" and "Because We Love You" kinda rock out, sort of, and are to my liking. But there's a lot of slower stuff such as "Tomorrow Never Comes", way too saccharin for me with curly-sweet violin and hushing vulnerable girly vocals. I presume this overall softer sound has to do with working solo without any band, just with a guitar. Sounds more Sheryl Crow-ish than ever in some places, eg: "Some Rainy Sunday", "Forever", although "Sunshine" has traces of the old Blake Babies sound. Okay, I'm still getting my head around this album, it's early days. Thus far, compared to her previous albums, it lacks an intangible element. Not enough of the coy irony of "Bed" or something. I'm not as inspired to hit that repeat button. Maybe some song choices were a tad conservative and self-conscious, but perhaps that's just my taste since I prefer her loud-n-dirty sounds. It might become a grower after several more listens. And I really hate over-criticising honest and unpretentious music, which this certainly is. Juliana's music usually comes from the heart and that always makes it worth the money.

As one who has always loved Juliana's music and knows all her albums well, one caveat before I add to In Exile Deo's well-deserved kudos. If you have heard little or none of her work, I would first recommend one or more of her earlier CD's for some perspective, all filled with wonderfully diverse alterna-pop-rock songs showcasing her somewhat quirky, engaging style, youthful intensity and angst. Excluding In Exile Deo for the moment, which I would put somewhere near the top, here's how I would rate her albums first to last, though these are close calls... Only Everything('95), Beautiful Creature/Total System Failure(simultaneous 2000 release), Become What You Are('93) and the 6 song EP Please Do Not Disturb('97) will all make you a fan for sure. Bed ('98), while IMO less memorable overall, does has a few superb cuts. I would also highly recommend 2001's God Bless The Blake Babies -- her warmly relaxed/cool renunion CD with her old bandmates.

That said, there is so much to love about In Exile Deo! I don't see how an earlier reviewer could possibly diss the first two songs. The opening cut is a terrific kick-ass rocker where -- sick and tired of no (lasting) love & affection in her life -- she is determined to simply have fun playing with anyone who comes along that strikes her fancy. Coming from someone who has often lamented her shyness, it's fun to hear her loosen up and blow away that impression, though I don't think we have to worry too much about our socially shy heroine becoming a total hedonist. The song's title/main refrain is Get In Line (..I'm giving myself away. :-) ..it's hard, fast, propulsive and catchy with killer guitar work from Juliana!

The next song offers up further proof she is the most underated guitarist on the planet. Jamie's in Town (about needing to avoid this guy at any cost) is also catchy, but quite different with a kind of eerie, swinging, loping bass line and acoustic rhythm guitar delightfully adorned with at least 3 different kinds of electric guitar which drop in 'n out like so much chocolate, honey and spice. Very Cool Song.

I will make brief too much more I would like to mention. As with all her albums, a few muscially ordinary ditties here 'n there, but most are inspired, beautiful, cool creations, always with that wonderfully unique, emotionally honest voice. Heart always on her sleeve, especially in the lovely, tender, wistful ballads. And hints she is learning to let go of her pain and be happy more often in the breezy, infectious song Sunshine. :-)

Catch her on tour now while you can... Check out this great SXSW Live Concert Review: "Juliana Hatfield's set was dominated by lots of impressive new material, most of which she said will appear on her forthcoming album In Exile Deo. Hatfield's guitar-playing prowess has to be seen to be appreciated. While no great technician, she's developed an unmistakable style that simultaneously draws on the throaty riffs of The Rolling Stones' Keith Richards, the rhythmic jangle of The Velvet Underground's Sterling Morrison and the controlled feedback/distortion of Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore. It's a tasty and effective combination. And Juliana's current backing band seems to be more in touch with her quirky style than any group she's been a member of since the Blake Babies."