Joana and the Wolf - Myspace & video review

Joana and the Wolf are a London based Indy / Alternative rock band, made up of guitarist Ali, bassist Katie, drummer Louis and Lithuanian born singer-songwriter Joana Glaza. Stylistically they've been compared to PJ Harvey, Stooges, Björk and Kate Bush (Edbot: Bulldog thinks she sounds like Toyah Wilcox too, which is high praise indeed from The Dog!).

The band's first - and to date only - single is Purple Nights (a live performance of which can be viewed below), produced by Jim Abbiss who has also worked with Arctic Monkeys, and released by Regal Records on 7” vinyl and iTunes back in August 2006. Having gained popularity in Joana’s native Lithuania, appearing in Cosmopolitan magazine and getting national radio air play, the band performed in the Be2Gether new music festival in south eastern Lithuania alongside other progressive bands such as The Young Knives and Bloodhound. In 2007, they received an Indy Music Award for Best New Wave/Progressive Act (you can see their performance of "Pablo" at the IMA's below).

The comparison to Bjork is not misplaced. Joana Glaza's vocal range is impressive, hHowever she shares with the Icelandic singer a fetish for vocal affectations which are both distinctive and, at times, piercing. For me she is very much an acquired taste. The band’s sound is impressive overall, with an Indy feel that is simultaneously familiar and contemporary. Think Souxsie and the Banshees via Evanescence. Visually their live performances are fairly perfunctory, focusing principally on Joana with the band ably supporting in what is a truly unique performance. Comparisons to Kate Bush can not only be made in her musical styling but also in lead Joana’s striking looks and sultry outfits, thrown together with a slightly gothic aesthetic. If I’m being totally honest I can’t imagine becoming a big fan of this group, but I can understand why they won an award as best newcomer. If your only experience of Lithuania has been via the Eurovision Song Contest, Joana is going to blow your mind.

Kingdom - my only previous encounter with this group was Purple Nights which did not prepare me for this tour de force. I actually thought “wow”. Some truly stunning guitar work with a percussion that gets you nodding along to the beat, (whether you want to or not). It’s very much a modern rock track with a polished professional sound. It stands out as a fine performance in terms of vocals too, a truly melodic experience which almost feels like another instrument. The lyrics are repetitive but I’m certain have significant meaning for Joana, she certainly gives them her all. It’s also a more restrained and unaffected performance, proving that this girl can sing. If you aren’t sold on buying Indy, this track may just change your mind. 5/5

Purple Nights – love the funky feel to this one. Lots of fuzzy guitar and stomping percussion. Great lyrics with plenty of heart and sung with real feeling. This is what I would describe as a “pumping” track. I can definitely imagine moshing to this, yet at the same time it’s fantastic late night driving music too. Try falling asleep at the wheel when the chorus starts. Marred only slightly by a somewhat hysterical Kate Bush style shrieking at times that for me was just a tad over the top. Great song though and definitely an excellent choice for their first single. 4.5/5

"Purple Nights" live - 14th Aug. '07

Wild Dogs – again love the funk/rock guitar work here, gets your head bobbing from the off. Unfortunately the lyrics are lost in a very shrill falsetto at the beginning and occasionally in the choruses (which seems to be Joana’s signature sound). There is a bizarre almost orgasmic feel to the panting between the verses, which considering the theme of wild dogs makes sense. This actually feels a bit more like the rockier tracks attempted by Shakespear's Sister (a band who deserve to be emulated). Not my favourite Joana and the Wolf track, but definitely a good example of their sound. 4/5

Big black bird – First reaction was, “this sounds familiar” and then it struck me, No Doubt! Yes this track sounds reminiscent of Gwen Stefani and co, and that from me is such a plus and a compliment. Again very good keyboard and guitar work but probably Joana’s most restrained vocals to date. A fabulous pop song and definitely one of my favourite tracks. This song is also where the Kate Bush influence is most apparent too in parts. 5/5

Frankie – this one is very punk, not that that is necessarily a bad thing, I’m just really not into punk. It’s infectious, inventive and as well performed as any of the other demos on the Joana and the Wolf my space site, but not really my thing. 4/5

Pablo – oh boy, definitely squarely back to the Bjork style with this one. Love the rock guitar work. This is a very good pop song, and I know many Indy fans will scoff at that, but no one gets into this business to see their records sit on the shelf do they. My only criticism is that the vocals are a bit messy. Notes aren’t held their shaken to bits, however the effect is memorable and that’s what sells after all. This could be possibly the most commercial track the group has done in terms of its “hook”, touch less screaming and it would be perfect. 4.5/5 Overall rating (average of per-song ratings): 4.5/5
(Edbot: This and Wild Dogs are Bulldog's faves - he growled something about it sounding like Toyah Wilcox then started jumping around a lot...)

"Pablo" live @ the Indy Music Awards

Bonus vid: Joana & The Wolf live @ Corsica Studios

reviewed by Steven J Hilton, June 2008

NoiseMatters rated: (4.5/5)
(rating based on an average of the total scores for all songs reviewed above)