That Dog leader makes solo debut

Anna by Anna Waronker
Anna Waronker
Five Foot Two Records/Oglio Records For Anna Waronker, the word "music" is synonymous with family, and the former leader of '90s power-pop girl group That Dog has a lineage deeper than most. Her grandfather founded Liberty Records in the 1950s, her father is a famed record producer and label president (currently of Dreamworks Records) and her older brother has been drummer to such artists as Beck, Smashing Pumpkins and REM. Waronker is also married to Steve McDonald of pop group Redd Kross, which makes her sister-in-law to the Go Go's Charlotte Caffey. After all Anna by Anna Waronker is her first solo record and the inaugural release from the label she recently formed with Caffey, Five Foot Two Records. Those expecting Anna to sound like a That Dog record will be sorely disappointed. While Waronker was the unabashed leader of that group and orchestrated its final masterpiece Retreat From the Sun in 1997, the band's vigorous three part female harmonies and grandstanding violin accompaniments would be hard to replicate without a full-fledged reunion. What Anna shows is a matured Waronker. The most noticeable differences are in the tempos and the longing balladry of "Beautiful," the simple string-laden melodies of "John and Maria," the introspective explanation of "Eat Me Alive" and the piano lullaby of "Powers That Be." These are tunes that showcase the melodic strengths of Waronker's songwriting minus all the edgy pop-punk sense and frantic energy she brought to That Dog. That said, the edge hasn't been totally washed away with the years. "All For You" and "How Do You Sleep?" are tortured, frustrated rock 'n' roll rants about conflict and control, and "I Wish You Well" and "A Hollow Daze" resurrect the spirit and soul of That Dog in melodic and harmonic excitement. It is true, That Dog was perhaps one of the '90s finest unknowns and while that band is perhaps gone forever, it is obvious that Anna represents a new beginning rather than an ending mourned. With Waronker's background so steeped in musical tradition and her personal history so accomplished, there should be no need to look to the past. As some say, you can never go home again. Then again, who would want to?