Juliana Hatfield

It’s better to put all your cards on the table before you start to take someone’s hard work apart. Chick grunge/rock and this reviewer mix like oil and water – they just don’t sit well. I sometimes feel guilty about feeling this way, but it’s not my fault Juliana Hatfield recorded this stereotypical release.

Made in Chinais a great release if you like this kind of stuff; it’s raw, rocky and filled with distortion. The biggest problem (maybe the only problem, but it’s a big one) is Hatfield’s typical chick-rock vocals. She sounds like Courtney Love or Liz Phair, which is not a bad thing except we already have our fair share of Love and Phair rip-offs already. Why have another?

The whole release sounds a bit like a bunch of Hole b-sides, which is okay if you like Hole to begin with. If you don’t, this is going to irritate your skin like brushing up against poison oak.

Everyone has a friend who loves this kind of safe, glossy grunge-rock so you can always buy them Made in China, they might even thank you for it. However, if you’re looking to spend your money on something worthwhile then don’t pick this up, you’re better off picking up a Hole CD, and I don’t like Hole so that says a lot.

If you don’t like chick grunge-rock with all its gruff and tumble vocals, this will not make you a believer, it will only reinforce your beliefs on how much this kind of music isn’t that great. Sorry Juliana…