It’s almost impossible for me to imagine that 15 years has passsed since I first heard the great hooks in the track “My Sister” from the CD “Become What You Are” by Juliana Hatfield. I suppose it hardly helps that after so many years her fetching voice seems frozen in time - completely familiar, instantly recognizable, and completely original.

“How To Walk Away” is Hatfield’s 10th solo effort spanning a career that covers twenty years, and she is in absolute top form on this one. Not as stark as 2005’s “Made In China”, Hatfield surrounded herself with some great friends for the new record. Among the guests are Richard Butler (Psychedelic Furs), Matthew Caws (Nada Surf), Jody Porter (Fountains Of Wayne) and Tracy Bonham. Produced by Andy Chase from Ivy, the CD was recorded in NYC at Stratosphere Sound, and released on Hatfield’s own label, Ye Olde Records.

The CD opens with four more acoustic sounding tracks, each song seeming to blend perfectly into the next. “Just Lust” follows, and for those who remember Hatfield’s first CD with the group Some Girls, this track will remind you a bit of those days. “Now I’m Gone” could also fit that sound. But it’s the other tracks on this ten song offering that stand out to me. I like her softer side, where her melodies, harmonies and lyrics just seem to stand out more to me.

“How To Walk Away” is a keeper, and a pleasant addition to Hatfield’s considerable body of work.

“The Fact Remains”