(Ye Olde Records)

www.yeolderecords.com

It's hard to believe that this is Juliana Hatfield's 11^th solo record as it seemed like just yesterday her solo debut, Hey Babe , was being released (that was actually 1992, folks). On Peace and Love Hatfield takes matters into her own hands, producing and engineering the record herself and playing all of the instruments, recording it in her new Cambridge, MA apartment (and releasing it on her own Ye Olde Records imprint). She's certainly come a long way from the Blake Babies.

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. From the hopeful, opening title track ("I won't give up, on peace and love") to the gorgeous double-tracked vocals of "The End of the War" (most likely about a broken relationship) to track three, "Why Can't We Love Each Other" (more relationship questions). Dating back to the early ‘90s Hatfield has explored complicated relationships with an open heart and vulnerability not usually touched by most songwriters. Peace and Love may not be her strongest record to date but it is still strong and brave with only a handful of misses (the clunky instrumental "Unsung", the too earnest "I'm Disappearing"). It seems that Hatfield is the consummate underdog, fighting for respectability with each record but after nearly two decades of solo work those of us who have been listening know she arrived long ago.

Standout Tracks: "Why Can't We Love Each Other", "Peace and Love", "The End of the War", What is Wrong" TIM HINELY