Sunburn

Blake Babies | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 5, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 1990
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hollywood Records
• ASIN: B000004AU8
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,648 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #86 in Music > Alternative Rock > Indie & Lo-Fi > Jangle Pop

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A glorious relic, September 8, 2001

By 

Brian D. Rubendall (Oakton, VA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sunburn (Audio CD)

During that brief time period (circa 1989-1991) when so-called "alternative rock" was on the rise, but Nirvana had not yet ushered in the grunge era, guitar oriented pop bands like The Blake Babies, The Posies and The Sundays seemed to be the future of rock music. Alas, it was not to be, but "Sunburn is one of the best albums from that brief era. It features what is easilly the Babies best song, "Out There," as well as other sweet but tart relationship tunes like "I'm Not Your Mother," "Look Away" and "I'll Take Anything." Lead singer Juliana Hatfield's little girl voice is alluring and the songwriting has plenty of hooks. The band was also capable of a sharp lyrical bite, such as on the catchy but nasty tune "Girl in a Box," featuring lead vocals by guitarist John Strohm.

Overall, a decent period album that transcends the era in which it was recorded.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Blake Babies finally hit their stride., September 7, 2005

By 

Michael Stack (North Chelmsford, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sunburn (Audio CD)

Having produced a pair of albums of great alt-pop music, the Blake Babies seemed ready to conquer the world with "Sunburn". The problem was, no one was listening.

A Boston-based trio consisting of bassist/vocalist Juliana Hatfield, guitarist/vocalist John Strohm and drummer Freda Boner, the Blake Babies were finally hitting their stride with "Sunburn"-- their trademark edgy jangle pop with crisp, clear basslines, punky undertones, and biting lyrics, was finally honed into a respectable sound. There's not a whole lot of bad cuts on "Sunburn"-- in fact, the whole album is pretty good, and it seems the band was on the cusp of a great album. Strohm's guitar playing has reached extraordinary levels and Hatfield's vocal finally gained a confidence it sorely needed (one it would lose on her first attempt at a solo album shortly after this record).

So the result-- the album moves from great song to great song-- the superb "I'm Not Your Mother" opens, with forceful vocals and superb distorted guitar leads and moves quickly between crunchy guitar numbers (standout "Star"), melodic two-part vocal songs ("Train") and jangly pop music (I'll Take Anything"). Most of the somewhat subpar pieces are resurrected by some feature ("Girl in a Box" is kind of blah but features such totally bizarre lyrics, it manages to survive, for example).

Something stops me from thinking of it as a masterpiece, but certainly "Sunburn" is a great record. Highly recommended.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Those were the days., September 15, 2003

By 

H3@+h "Over 1500 reviews!" (thanks for the helpful review votes) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sunburn (Audio CD)

This is one of those simple alt/rock records that came out when alt/rock was still "alternative". Nothing earth-shattering, just cool kids making good happy music. Fans of Juliana will find this similar to her solo debut "Hey Babe". Other "Blake Babies" albums are good, but I like this one most. Of course Juliana has numerous great albums out too, including a "best of". This would go great next to your "Lemonheads" and "Pixies" cd's.