Anna By Anna Waronker

Anna Waronker

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 4, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Oglio Records
• ASIN: B000066I2N
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #34,233 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Anna Waronker works hard with what she’s got on her debut solo album. The former frontwoman for That Dog writes, sings, plays the majority of the instruments, and produces. But even with her stamp on nearly everything, she manages to sound like nearly everyone else. The album vacillates between a variety of prototypical indie-rock goddesses: "Beautiful" hints at Stevie Nicks, "Perfect Ten" sounds a lot like a Polly Jean Harvey’s "Meet Ze Monsta," and the chord progression, lyrics, and even delivery of "Nothing Personal" seem to channel Courtney Love ("It’s the season of the witch tonight / Is it worth it to be rich tonight?"). Still, the album is not without its own merits. Anna chews her words and carefully spits them out-—her enunciation and phrasing give strength and range to a fairly reedy voice. That voice is at its most distinctive in its upper register, where the plaintive, little-girl sweetness actually rings true. And if she pursues more songs like "John and Maria," she’ll make quite a name for herself. --Laura Etling

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Anna serves up a winner, June 14, 2002

By	E. C Goodstein (Northern CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Gee, I don't know what record the others were listening to-- I think this is a very solid recording from Waronker. True, it's not quite as artsy as her That Dog stuff, or maybe as lyrically focused as Lisa Marr, The Beards or as intense as The Muffs, but this is excellent stuff IMO. It does start a bit slow, or should I say a bit on the 'power pop'/Bangles or Go-Gos side, and AW's lyrics can be elliptical at times. But I think by the time it gets to "Nothing Personal," the album serves up a terrific mix of power pop meets art rock, with even edges that recall a more wise ...Sheryl Crow or even Jane Siberry. "Perfect 10" is intense rock, "Goodbye" & "John & Maria" excellent 'ballads.' And Anna's singing has really improved too. It hooks me each listen, which I
can't say about everything.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Solo Debut, March 3, 2003

By	Matt - See all my reviews

I always enjoyed that dog's music (of which Anna Waronker was the frontwoman) but felt a couple of their albums were hit and miss. I bought "Anna" on a whim hoping for the best, and it turned out to be one of my favorite albums of 2002. She basically has let it rip for this album, proving herself a one-woman phenomenon who knocks out rock songs with distinctive vocals and lyrics one after another. If you're unfamiliar with Anna's work, it sounds somewhat like a cross of rock/pop styles from the likes of Veruca Salt, Patti Rothberg, Aimee Mann, and Hole. Start with "I Wish You Well" and then let the CD sit in your player a few times and let the tracks sink into your head.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars quite a solid pop record, June 27, 2002

By A Customer

A very solid effort by Anna Waronker - consistant good performances, songwriting and production - amazing for an initial indie release on a brand new label. Why do people always feel the need to compare and name drop?

Anna by Anna Waronker varies stylisitically from soft ballads to indie pop hooks, thoughtful lyrics - thumbs up on this one!