So, I hear you say, how did this vinyl treasure come to my attention? Whilst researching packaging options for the next vinyl release, this LP by Anna Waronker – formerly of That Dog – just jumped off the webpage at me. Featuring an LP pressed in orange vinyl and a 12” EP pressed in cream vinyl, it had, by fair means or foul, to be obtained.
Of course, disappointment would have been the order of the day if the music had not been up to scratch but with Ms Waronker’s pedigree the risks were suitably low. Duly, my new best friend the postman – apparently there are at least three local bands with members who are postmen in the local sorting office – delivered this beautiful package from the US of A.
I couldn’t wait to get it on the turntable of love and give it a spin so onwards to the music we shall go. Anna Waronker lives in California and you could justifiably say that she sounds like an archetypal singer songwriter from the west coast which is no bad thing in my book. Her lyrics show both eloquence and no small amount of sentimentality as she reflects here on her life. The album’s opener “It’s A Beautiful Life” sets the scene effectively (“…can we come out saying everything will be alright”) with “What Do You Do” following on and being so deliciously mainstream that your radio will want to eat it.
Oddly, “California Fade” seems to have been the lead song for this album. Don’t get me wrong, it is a decent song with late period Beatles influences basking in the sunshine as Ms Waronker’s laconic voice sings from the shadows but a better choice might have been “I Don’t Wanna” which, while not being That Dog style rocky, easily gets those feet tapping and has some nice noisy guitars too.
Mainstream AOR appeal gets handled by “Our Love” and very classily handled it is too. Probably the most moving song though is “What’s Good Enough” (to be found on the EP) as Ms Waronker reflects on motherhood. I know that’s hardly something a guy should relate to but every word rings true. Made me feel all warm inside, it did.
The pressings of both the LP and the EP were immaculate with quiet surfaces throughout and, from the runout grooves, it would appear that mastering was done in-house at Pirate’s Press. I did note, however, that the sleeve fit was really tight and a lot of care had to be taken in getting the vinyl out. Mind you, you only have to do that once as you will be rehousing that lovely coloured vinyl in proper Nagaoka sleeves (of course you will!). The gatefold packaging was a thing of class and quality with the striking cover painting (by Mary Wigmore) printed on heavy card stock with the printed inner sleeves done likewise. Truly a beautiful thing to behold (and hold). The vinyl release is available from her website.