Juliana Hatfield

Peace & Love

(Ye Olde)

If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a hundred times … Juliana Hatfield is one of the purest voices in rock 'n' roll. Not only in terms of presentation but also in regards to her lyrics and songwriting. Peace & Love is Hatfield’s 11th solo album. Eleventh! And this, quite frankly, might be her best to date.

Regardless, it is surely her most personal record. She lays it all out for the listener from the get go with an overall tone that is cautiously optimistic. In the beautifully baroque-sounding title track, she repeats, almost as if it is her mantra, “don’t give up on peace and love.” That statement sets the stage for what’s to come … nearly 40 soul-baring minutes from an artist who seemingly has confronted and questioned certain fundamental truths about herself and come out stronger on the other side.

Over the course of 12 tracks, you get a new understanding of Hatfield. She’s there. She’s present. She’s baring it all. “Let’s Go Home” is a perfect pop song. The stripped down recording, with its 4/4 drum machine beat, is a gem that sounds like one of those leaked demos that far surpasses the studio version. The lyrics, however, paint a sad picture that are supposedly true … this is something Hatfield has steered clear of for a lot of her career. Sure, she’s mixed in elements from her real life before … but not to this degree. It’s refreshing to hear her push that comfort level and pull back the curtain.

The album is also unique in that it’s all Hatfield. In addition to the extremely personal lyrics, Hatfield played all of the instruments and recorded and produced the album. It’s also being released on her label, Ye Olde Records. Damn, I love a self-sufficient woman.