Anna Waronker
Anna (Five Foot Two)


Taken a look at 2002's déjà vu-inducing release schedule lately? With everyone from the Breeders and Weezer to Guided by Voices and Juliana Hatfield releasing albums this summer, you wouldn't be blamed for thinking nothing's changed since alt-rock's mid-'90s heyday. And, really, aside from the inevitable band breakups and the fact that most major labels no longer consider such acts profitable, what has changed? Not much musically, at least, judging by those postgrunge heavyweights' latest discs.

Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Consistency is often code for stagnating sameness, but at its best, it can indicate an artist's dedication to dissect and perfect her craft. And few alumni of last decade's alt-rock renaissance embody this work ethic like Anna Waronker: In 1995 the former that dog. frontperson scored her biggest buzz bin-size success with "He's Kissing Christian," and she's been improving on that song's pristine power-pop formula with intoxicating results ever since (1997's "Never Say Never"; Josie and the Pussycats' greatest Go-Go's pogo, "I Wish You Well").

It's unsurprising, then, that Waronker's solo debut is no artistic departure from the skull-sticking hooks and harmonies that made that dog. so endearing. What is surprising about Anna by Anna Waronker, however, is that it's so much better – almost impossibly so – than anything she's previously done. A treasure trove of would-be, should-be hits that alternate between rockin', new-wave numbers and heartbroken ballads, the album, shimmering summer-pop perfection, proves that Waronker is one of the alt-rock era's most talented voices.