Become What You Are is the debut studio album by the American alternative rock band the Juliana Hatfield Three, released on August 3, 1993, by Mammoth Records. The album includes the hit singles "My Sister" and "Spin the Bottle".
Recording and release The band's singer and guitarist, Juliana Hatfield, recorded Become What You Are with drummer Todd Philips, formerly of Moving Targets and Bullet LaVolta, and bassist Dean Fisher, who she met during high school in Duxbury, Massachusetts. Unlike her previous album Hey Babe, which deals with personal topics, Hatfield decided to write songs about other things and make them more universal. The title of the album was inspired by German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, whom Hatfield admired.
The album was recorded at Hollywood Sound, mixed at Oceanway Studios and mastered at Precision Mastering in Los Angeles. It was released on August 3, 1993, by Mammoth Records. The song "Spin the Bottle" is featured on the soundtrack of the 1994 film Reality Bites. As of February 2010, Become What You Are had sold 267,000 copies in the US according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Critical reception
Become What You Are received generally favorable reviews. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic praised Hatfield's honest vocals on "Supermodel," "My Sister," and "Spin the Bottle", stating that "her talents are strong enough to carry the album over the weak spots." The album was ranked No. 9 in NMEs Albums of the Year list for 1993.
Track listing
Personnel Credits are adapted from the album's liner notes.
The Juliana Hatfield Three Juliana Hatfield – vocals, guitar Dean Fisher – bass Todd Philips – drums
Additional musicians Denny Fongheiser – percussion Peter Holsapple – keyboards Mike Leahy – intro guitar riff on "Addicted"
Production Scott Litt – producer, engineer Ed Brooks – engineer, assistant engineer Martin Schmelzle – assistant engineer Steve Holroyd – mixed assistant Stephen Marcussen – mastering
Artwork Jean Cronin – design Melanie Nissen – photography
Charts + Chart performance for Become What You AreChart (1993)Peak Australian Albums (ARIA Charts) 89 US Top Heatseekers1Billboard 200119
References
External links