Juliana Hatfield has been hailed as a leading force in the women's rock movement for several years now, but things just never seems to come together for her. For whatever reason, she's remained on the cusp of stardom, constantly struggling for her big break. But despite a devoted fan base, her most significant air time on MTV has been her guest appearance as the guitar- playing homeless girl on an episode of "My So-Called Life." Frankly, if success is the Lilith Festival, Juliana's been playing HORDE.

Her latest batch of tunefully angry rock, Bed, isn't likely to knock down any of the commercial walls holding her in. Until she sucks up her pride and bows to the Imbruglia/ Morissette school of over- production, Hatfield will never be fully embraced by the masses. Which is just as well, because-- let's be honest-- no one wants to see her like that.

In Hatfield's world, everything is melodic, from lead guitar parts and the bass lines to the vocal harmonies and the drum beats. "Down On Me" starts with a treble squeal a la 1970s Van Halen. Stacatto rhythms and crunchy guitars follow, and Hatfield warbles innocent- sounding vocals over the top. It's a formula that can be applied to most of the tracks on Bed. There are a few surprises, though-- the acoustic "Running Out" is a fresh change from the heavy guitars that dominate the album, and "Backseat," the album's token ballad, is at once pretty and powerful.

So a part of me thinks Hatfield must be pretty cool; she refuses to change and keeps putting out these little pop gems that refuse to sell. Maybe the view from that side stage isn't so bad after all.

-Lang Whitaker