Become What You Are (1993)
The Juliana Hatfield Three
- Supermodel
- My Sister
- This Is The Sound
- For The Birds
- Mabel
- A Dame With A Rod
- Addicted
- Feelin' Massachusetts
- Spin The Bottle
- President Garfield
- Little Pieces
- I Got No Idols
;)
The big seller.
Released with Juliana’s commercial star in the ascendancy following the critical success of Hey Babe and her association with the ubiquitous and lauded Evan Dando, this was the most anticipated release of her career to date. Despite it’s success, BWYA has it’s flaws and is perhaps too inconsistent, particularly the first half. The sublime moments (Feelin’ Massachusetts, This Is The Sound), sit side by side with the average (Supermodel) and the downright twee (For The Birds – inexplicably chosen as a single). It does close with some stronger songs and the PJ Harvey influenced Spin The Bottle works, despite the potentially disastrous title. The majesty of the final track I Got No Idols, remains one of Juliana’s classics. ;)
Juliana’s work would never be released again against a background of so much analysis and pre-conceptions from the outside world. Whilst this would have commercial and personal implications and disputes with the music industry would remain in future years, her art has succeeded since.
However, this remains many fans' favourite album, not least as it was the record that introduced them to Juliana.
;)
Select review - September 1993 (click to enlarge);)
NME review - September 1993 (click to enlarge);)
Lime Lizard review - September 1993 (click to enlarge)
