Chicago – U.K. five-piece Joanna Gruesome built a heavy fan base with their 2013 debut Weird Sister. Their fuzzy noise pop had critics drooling, while feminists worldwide applauded them for being outspoken on misogyny in music, putting a definite pressure on Alanna McArdle (vocals), Owen Williams (guitar, vocals), Max Warren (bass), George Nicholls (guitar), and Dave Sandford (drums) when it came to album number two. That highly anticipated sophomore album is finally here, with Peanut Butter having been released in the U.K. (Fortuna POP!), with the U.S. release soon to follow (Slumberland). Critics and fans have already bitten it, with mixed reviews. Well, you can’t please everybody, right? There are plenty of pleasing moments in the short but sweet Peanut Butter.

The album starts with the hard-hitting single “Last Year.” Over screeching guitars, McArdle screams, “I’ll make a scene, crushing your tiny skull! I know you won’t even say my name!” Then suddenly her voice turns sweet like cotton candy. The drums soften a bit, but not too much. The hardcore turns pop with an amazing melody, complete with McArdle and Williams’ lovely harmonizing. Just as with Weird Sister, McArdle weaves her vocals between harsh, scratchy screams and smooth, mellow whispers, while the boys – but especially Sandford – keep up the pace… but this isn’t always the case in Peanut Butter.

There is definitely more of a calm to Peanut Butter. Perhaps with maturity, some restraint seeped in? Still, it balances well. The repetition is where Peanut Butter foils. “Jamie (Luvver)” and “Honestly Do Yr Worst” play back to back with similar openings. Same is to be said for “I Don’t Wanna Relax” and “Psykick Espionage,” but at least they are spread apart. Both begin with some insane, intense drumming, but if this were an 8 Mile battle of sorts, “Psykick Espionage” would be the winner. The previously released single off Joanna Gruesome’s split with Perfect Pussy, is one of the highlights of Peanut Butter, giving you a heavy dose of whiplash.

Another standout track is “Crayon.” The lyrics are cryptic, like a Dali painting come to life. The tenderness tugs at your heartstrings. The melody is almost enough to moisten your eyes, but the distortion slips in, with the drums and guitars kicking and screaming, refusing to let “Crayon” be a total softy.

The bass permeates your heart in the Black Terror cover, “Separate Bedrooms,” bringing a little heartbreak to your ticker that sinks in when the band sings in chorus, “I know that life would be alright if I hadn’t met you.”

The album ends with the passionate “Hey! I Wanna Be Yr Best Friend,” which seems fitting, being the polar opposite of “Last Year.” The melodies in this song are fantastic, making it one of the strongest tracks on Peanut Butter. Williams and Nicholls become one with their guitars. Warren’s bass peaks at the perfect moments. McArdle and Williams’ keep wonderful tone, at a near whisper. “Hey! I Wanna Be Yr Best Friend” is total ear candy.

Is Peanut Butter what Weird Sister was? No, but why would you want it to be? Bands grow. Their sounds change. So should your taste.

Joanna Gruesome Peanut Butter is available for digital download on iTunes and Amazon or on vinyl through Fortuna POP! or Slumberland.

Photo of Joanna Gruesome by Pat Graham

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Sarah Hess

At the age of six, Sarah Hess discovered True Blue by Madonna. This resulted in her spending hours in front of the bathroom mirror with a hairbrush microphone, belting out "La Isla Bonita" off key. Her love for music only intensified over the years thanks to her parents; her mother exposed Sarah to The Jackson Five and had her hustling to the Bee Gees, while her father would play her albums like 'Pet Sounds' and 'Some Girls' from start to finish, during which he'd lecture on and on about the history of rock & roll. Sarah would eventually stumble upon rap and hip-hop, then punk and alternative, and fall madly in love with Jeff Buckley and film photography.

After attending The School of the Art Institute in Chicago, Sarah went on to study education at Dominican University, earning a degree in history. When not teaching, writing, or taking in a show, she is most likely to be found with a camera to her eye or hanging out in a darkroom.


You can follow Sarah Hess on twitter at @Sarahhasanh and view her music photography on her website: smhimaging.com.

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