Customer Reviews

Beautiful Creature

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Maybe changing record labels was the best thing Juliana Hatfield could have done for herself. Hatfield's first Zoe release is breath taking, presenting more than several songs that leave you wondering, "Now why hasn't someone else written this before?"

This is not a typical Hatfield record, leaving out most of her signature electric guitar riffs, and substituting for an acoustic strum. Not to fear, this album has more power behind it than any of the other records. But not to fear, where she has replaced the feriocious guitars, she has by far made up in crafting her songs.

Juliana has always been a superior songwriter, setting herself apart from the Lilith wrung outs, by simply not fitting a mold, and bending where most don't bend. On "Beautiful Creature", she found where she did fit, contacted a real estate agent, and set up camp. On the second track, she sings of the typical bad dreams, but a third dimension to the emmotion of the song, when you just know that you have been in her shoes before.

Unlike her girl power acoustic strumming cohorts, Hatfield finishes her songs with common sense lyrics which are easy to understand, rather than the "see spot run" rhymes and poetry of say, Jewel, that leave the listener pretending to understand what she is trying to get across.

Hatfield never been an official member of that group anyways, giving her true rock crediblilty. The album does take a glimpse of that trait on songs such as "Cool Rock Boy", a techno beated, true rock song (as the title so cleverly hints at).

If you are reading this... this is the album you have been waiting for. If you are a newcomer to Juliana's music, this is a good place to start also. And even if you just stumbled across this by accident, it's probably for you too.

I love Juliana Hatfield's music and have every one of her albums (including all the Blake Babies stuff). The dual release of Beautiful Creature and Total System Failure seems to be an exploration of her split musical persona, the "quiet" vs "grunge". I bought both discs and currently find myself playing Beautiful Creature more. Juliana's more introspective little-girl-lost voice on "Hey Babe" originally hooked me to her stuff, and there seems to be a similar simple elegance on this disc, songs like Close Your Eyes and Slow Motion coo and hush the ears into a sweet trance. But musically I don't hear much that isn't straight out of pop music's standard box of chord progressions; not meaning to sound hypercritical, but I know from past releases that Juliana has tons more talent tucked away. Not too many of Juliana's usually clever angular corners are turned (they're all reserved for Total System Failure where they are drowned in distortion), not as many jangling suspended chords in the trademark Juliana fashion, and (with the exception of "Until Tomorrow") all the songs on Beautiful Creature amble along to fairly uncomplicated beats in 4-4. Some of Juliana's angst-ish edge may have evaporated with these quieter reflections, but it still makes for great listening, it's simply Juliana in a different light, quieter, simpler. Still, here's hoping the next Juliana release is more like "Bed", mashing her two personas back into the one entity - angular punchy songs that are smoothed out by her sweet voice while not being drowned out by (too much) grunge.

The first time I ever heard this woman was on a movie and I waited until the credits and went to find the song on Napster. I found it and then I found some other stuff of hers. The song I first heard was "Might be in Love" and I LOVED it! Then I fell in love with "Somebody is Waiting For Me" and "Everybody Loves Me But You" and soon I began craving more so I downloaded all her songs, and I am HOOKED! But I must say I was suprised after listening to some of her harder music because of how mellow and easy these songs are on this CD. But I love this one. She is truly gifted. Every song is a masterpiece and I wish she would get more credit. She should be on the radio instead of all those dumb teeny bopper songstresses. Keep up the good work, Juliana.

I recently rediscovered Juliana Hatfield. What made me put My Sister back in? I heard it on XFM, and thought man, it has been a long time since I heard that... I come to Amazon and realize I have been missing Juliana for way too long.. but you know what they say, the longer you wait, the more satisfying it can be, and cheaper too. I bought Bed, I bought Total System Failure, I bought the best of album, and I bought Some Girls. Of all of these, Beautiful Creature has been in my CD player the longest--over a month now. On first listen, I was wondering if I was going to like it.. by the third listen the pathways were greased... I was listening to it all of the time and still am. I love Choose Drugs, Cool Rock Boy, Slow Motion, Somebody is Waiting for me. But, don't get me wrong, this album does not have a poor song on it. It must be listened to as a whole, with the progression of songs in sequence. There are no immediate pop hits on here... in fact, while I do not listen to local radio too much, I do not ever recall ever hearing any of this album anywhere--maybe that is why it all sounds so new. There is fine balance of acoustics and vocals without a lot of the harder rock that Juliana can definitely pump out. Juliana says she was dissatisfied after working on this album... why I must ask??! In my opinion, this album is Juliana's best. BTW, the other album which is hanging out in the CD player is Some Girls "Feel It". I am rehooked on Juliana, and it feels so good.

I usually don't get much out of rave reviews from committed fans. Not that there's anything wrong with committed fans, all artists should be so lucky as to have them. But when I'm sitting on the fence trying to decide whether to check out a new artist, or, like in this case, rediscover one I used to know, I try to avoid such reviews/fans.

But most of JH's albums are available used for super-cheap, so I went ahead and picked up 4 of her '90s albums.

Even back when I enjoyed the Blake Babies and JH's 1st couple of albums and her intersection with the Lemonheads, I always found her a bit hit-and-miss. Some songs i like A LOT, and some make me roll my eyes because of too-obvious chord changes, arrangements and production, bland delivery or just plain embarrassing lyrics.

I discovered all of the above experiences were waiting for me again on these new albums, and this, BEAUTIFUL CREATURE, was no exception. There's even one song (i think it's "Hotels") you can sing that big Chris Isaak hit 'Wicked Game' over! Tsk! Then there's "Cool Rock Boy", with a song on the companion album that refers to a "Little White Boy" and other equally adventurous wordplay. Nothing against her but that kind of lyrical laziness leaves me cold. I suspect she's a much more interesting person than many of her lyrics let on.

So, if you're on the fence, and used to like Juliana Hatfield but haven't heard her in awhile, I would probably steer you away from this one and towards In Exile Deo or perhaps Made in China. In Exile Deo has a couple of the best JH songs I've probably ever heard ("Get in Line" [a Revolver-esque romp] and "Because We Love You" [one of the best songs Teenage Fanclub didn't write]) and is worth it just for those songs.

If, however, you really like the sweeter poppier side of Ms. Hatfield, this would be a great choice. For me there are too many of those kinds of songs I might hear under a treacly teen romance movie on the USA channel.

One other comment: "Close Your Eyes" is a great acoustic lullabye and makes no sense as track 2. Put it at the end, or as a mid-album breather or something!

My two cents. I'm glad she's still making music and fighting the good fight.

As an avid Fan of Juliana since i heard "my sister" i have loved Juliana's ouvre. She's got the perfect blend that is very much lacking in the late 1990's and in this new millenium. Poetics and Acoustics, this is what a musician should be. I guess we need the empty void to dance to at 1 o clock in the morning when we have goggles on, audio and visual goggles that is, but when we are at full capacity we need something that MEANS SOMETHING. Jules Means something a great deal to me, mesmorized titles as Become what you are and Only Everything I have also seen Jules in concert many a time and the comment of the last post by Senet is so true about the artist "pondering what you say". I am actually glad she doesn't have Tons of Fans, because It lets her be, and lets us be more intimate with listening to her. She's an Indy Goddess and I like her that way

this is some of juliana's best work. it is a must have for all fans. she is open, honest, bothered, happy, in love all in one package. lots of caring and emotion! wow! get it!

With Beautiful Creature, Juliana Hatfield has regained her status (in my eyes) as a truly great singer/songwriter. I was beginning to lose faith in her after good, but slightly disappointing, releases of "Please Do Not Disturb" and "Bed". Her voice has never sounded so strong. Quiet revelations are unraveled throughout her songs.. In one of the album's most brilliant songs, she whispers: "I say it's me or drugs..you choose drugs." Beautiful Creature demostrates Hatfield's ability to bare her soul, whether through soft acoustic songs, or through more mature rock anthems. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next.

I think I have found my soul-mate in this world. This new album of Juliana's, you have to "Hear" rather than just, "Listen to", to really appreciate everything that she has to offer. I think she is the world's greatest artist, she is so honest, weird, and beautiful, how can you not fall in love with this woman. These songs are beautiful, like her, and if you can't look at the songs on the Juliana's Pony CD with the same eyes, you are not a true fan. Those "ugly" songs on the Juliana's Pony CD are also beautiful, you just have to learn how to appreciate the music on a higher level than just its technical correctness. Juliana's music is all about emotion, if her music doesn't make you feel something, I think you should check your pulse, you might be dead.

I love her voice, & her lyrics are so honest!!!! What can I say it is a beautiful Allbum.