"When CDs came out I thought they sounded like crap. And now, I think MP3s sound like crap and MP3s make CDs sound better."
Read Juliana's thoughts on music technology, the crappiness of mp3, why Twitter is a distraction and her future book writing projects in a nice interview at Sounds Good Ink.
Three new tracks are now streaming on Juliana's MySpace page. Described as Peace & Love outtakes, there's an alternate version of I Picked You Up plus two previously unheard songs - I Won't Let You Go and Between The Clouds.
“The music business is so complicated. I want a really simple life. …The theme of the past few years [has been] a process of reclaiming my freedom and independence and being totally self sufficient.”
For those who may have missed the news, a reminder that Juliana has recently resurrected her blog pages on the official site. She may have quit social networks but appears to be now using the blog for random thoughts rather than the song inspired essays of yore. It now looks like many other blogs with Twitter-ish posts - a means for her to communicate if not (by virtue of comments being disabled) to interact. If you enjoyed her Twitter posts it's worth subscribing to the RSS feed.
"my lack of technical expertise is, I think, an aesthetic of sorts"
Juliana talks about the recording process of Peace & Love in an interview with Patrick Ogle for Gearwire. Listen to it at gearwire.com.
It looks like there's more to come as according to Patrick's twitter post this is Part 1.
Part 2 is now available at Gearwire.
Peace & Love can now be heard on Spotify, the streaming service available in parts of Europe (UK, France, Spain, Sweden, Finland and Norway).
A handy tool for those of us who want to recommend the album to non-Juliana fans who use the service. Just suggest that if they like it they might want to buy the CD from Ye Olde. Although Spotify is legal there are doubts as to how much independent artists are compensated, and your site admin is a bit suspicious of the motives of a DRM / p2p service by stealth, and still prefers to 'own' music, rather than trusting a collection to the cloud. Maybe he's just old fashioned.
Peace & Love is this week's Editor's Choice on the US version of the digital download site 7digital. The title track, easily one of the standout songs on the album, is currently free. Hopefully this will spark a few sales among the curious. A good thing, even if the Editor's blurb is a bit sloppy:
"Peace & Love is the 10th studio album by Hatfield, marking 20 years as a recording artist. The title track on this album is free this week and offers listeners a nice example of the singer/ songwriter's somber folk magnifigance (sic). She supposedly produced all the songs on this album as well as playing the instruments. Her heart seems weathered but her sound remains very young and fresh on this 12 track album."
Magnifigant! As for the self-production, there's no supposedly about it.
“I needed some calm because the year was very turbulent. The easiest way for me to feel calm was to be alone. I couldn’t handle the idea of going into a big studio with a bunch of people. I just wanted to stay home and make this very personal and quiet record.”
Some quotes from Juliana on Peace & Love, her withdrawal from social media and more in an article at The Patriot Ledger.
Another collection, this time of largely indifferent reviews from blogs, review sites and the internets at large:
"Her music allows one to contemplate the depth of her sadness, and to compare their own to hers."
Nicely put in a small piece on Microphone Memory Emotion.
Another recommended review can be found at Indie Rock Grrls and, a notable rarity in the reviews so far, a couple of negative ones at Express Night Out and Pitchfork, the latter being a particular stinker. So much, that the critic has been critiqued. It's the internet. It's what it does.
"it’s been a long time since Hatfield put out a record so warm and affecting, so hopeful in its examination of loneliness and pain, and just plain comforting"
One of the best reviews that captures the themes of Peace & Love is by Michael Fortes at Popdose.
Other reviews now online include a take by the marvellously named "Rev. Theodore Marley Renwick-Renwick" at the oh-so-knowlingly-pompous Donnybrook Writing Academy and, to less enjoyment, a small 3 out of 4 stars review at the Los Angeles Times.
Juliana's new album Peace & Love is released today.
CD:
As expected distribution of the CD format appears to be very limited. Orders can still be placed directly on Juliana's official site but given the scarcity elsewhere on online stores you might want to get your order in now.
The dedicated Peace & Love page on this site has now been updated with a track by track review, together with its usual collation of info and links.
A reminder of course that Peace & Love is released this week. But you knew that.
You can read a review of Peace & Love and listen to a phone interview with Juliana at The University of San Diego Student Radio.
A word of warning - there is a loud extended burst of white noise at the end of the interview. Turn it off after Juliana says goodbye 25 minutes in if you value your ears.
Reviews of Juliana's new album Peace & Love are now appearing on blogs and music sites. Here's a selection with links to the full articles:
"Modest atmosphere, fearless honesty"
"Hatfield is at her best when she's in full-on confessional mode" 3/5
Jonathan Keefe, Slant
"Peace and Love has a real organic feel to it throughout, filled with strummy acoustic guitars and Hatfield's rich, emotive voice that add up to a collection of heartfelt, intimate songs." 7/10
Tim Hinely, Blurt
"What might seem at first to be a darkly solitary album turns out to be subtly strong and affirming." "4/5
Neil Carver, Eat Sleep Drink Music
"As Hatfield as always done, she seems content to produce music from within herself in this effort. With the grittiness of the '90s washed away, the album reveals a soft honesty."
Michelle O'Brien, Ink
"An admirable change in pace, it sounds sparse but crystal clear, with Hatfield’s radio-friendly vocals having a very pure quality." 3/5
Terry Mulcahy, Wears The Trousers Magazine
"A girl and a guitar can be a powerful thing. If that girl is Juliana Hatfield, you know that it will be an enjoyable experience. " 3/5
Robyn Gatsby, The Fire Note
The final batch of guest posts from Juliana's stint as guest editor of magnetmagazine.com:
Ben & Jerry's Everything But The... Ice Cream
Referring To Everything As "This Guy"
"Jung also reinforced my instinctive belief that exploring my emotional problems through creativity/art is an extremely worthwhile pursuit not just for me but for anyone struggling with identity problems. Or any problems, really."
"When I’m skiing and I see a bump coming up in my path, I get all excited like when an alcoholic sees a bottle of booze."
More Magnet guest posts:
"I bounce around my apartment singing, “She’s a real sad tomato/She’s a busted valentine,” and feeling really good about life."
The Magnet guest editing continues with Juliana's comments on the song 'And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine'.
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