Blake Babies: God Bless The Blake Babies : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

All the money's gone/but I can still sing a song," Juliana Hatfield chirps on the Blake Babies' excellent new reunion album, and that pretty much sums up the cheeky attitude that makes God Bless the Blake Babies such a kick. The Boston indie-pop legends, forever beloved for their 1990 gem, Sunburn, sound relaxed and confident here, jangling and strumming and harmonizing about the miserable adult love lives they're grateful to have lived long enough to see. Hatfield shines in melodic heartbreakers such as "Disappear," "Waiting for Heaven" and "Until I Almost Died," ace guitarist John Strohm plays his skinny ass off, and drummer turned yoga instructor Freda Love Smith takes a heroic first-time lead vocal in "When I See His Face," a welcome reminder of how happy an adult love life can be. But the sentimental fave has to be "Brain Damage," wherein longtime pal Evan Dando drops by so he can reprise his Nineties role as the indie-pop Britney to Juliana's Justin. After ten years apart, the Blake Babies have recorded a surprisingly powerful keeper - and it's about time. (RS 867 - April 26, 2001)

ROB SHEFFIELD