Album Review: Marissa Paternoster goes solo, kinda, on 'Holy Hell'

Noun-Holy Hell
New Brunswick, NJ
Release Date: July 5, 2010
Don Giovanni Records

By Star Child

DOWNLOAD: Noun- Brother

We already know Marissa Paternoster as the singer and guitarist of Screaming Females. But after 5-years of keeping fairly quietly with her solo project, Noun, Paternoster has released a full-length album. A bit more musically involved and with less rock 'n roll bites than Screamales, Holy Hell, is a new collection of songs featuring  keys, organs, and toned-down guitars and drums. The album is mellow and melodic but keeps a particular groove that Screamales fans might still appreciate. Angela Boylan (of Cheeky and Little Lungs), Miranda Taylor (Hunchback, Black Wine, Full of Fancy), and bandmates Jarett Dougherty and King Mike all play on the album, too! Now let's get to it. 

Holy Hell features 10 songs. The album starts with the piano song "Black Lamb," then goes into a heavy, Screaming Females sounding jam with "Outerspace." The album then slows down on "Old Friends," a sad song that starts with no drums and some unintriguing guitar. Then it returns to the cool title track "Holy Hell." My personal favorite is "Wrong Things." Marissa's vocals are soft, melodic, and the guitar is nice, plus for some reason it reminds me of college life. Other heavier jams include "Pearly Gates" and "So Rough." The album also features a psychedelic sounding tune called "Brother." 

All in all, I feel like this is a cool album, but it too easily shifts from a piano or light guitar song to a heavy jam. It's an album where I just want to hear one song at a time, the song that captures my mood at the moment. Or it has me playing the same song over and over. 

Holy Hell is at available at the Don Giovanni Records store, Screaming Females shows, and select  record stores. 

Marissa Paternoster (of Screaming Females) to release new project called Noun + NYC Show 4/25

DOWNLOAD: Noun - Holy Hell



Marissa Paternoster of Screaming Females is releasing a new solo LP for her project, Noun, called Holy Hell. This is the first official Noun release that features keys, organs, and toned-down guitars and drums. This is a different thing than Screaming Females. Expect more melody and lighter elements.

However, both Jarrett and King Mike of Screaming Females contribute to the album. In addition, Angie Boylan (Cheeky, Little Lungs), and Miranda Taylor (of Hunchback, Black Wine, Full of Fancy) contribute on drums.

Don Giovanni Records is releasing the 12-song album, which is set for release on June 15, 2010. Paternoster put out a Noun tape called Forgotten Grin, but it is now sold out.

Noun performs on April 25 with Shellshag, Full of Fancy, Black Wine, and Pregnant for the Don Giovanni Records. More details on that here. Screaming Females is recording a new album. The band's latest EP, Singles, was released in February. Read our review here.

Last March, at 89.5 FM WSOU I interviewed Marissa for a special Women's History Month music show. She spoke about how she got involved in music, her influences, and 'Power Move' among other things. Listen here:

Don Giovanni Records Presents two shows April 24 & 25 w/ Special Guest & Shellshag

After a successfully fun sold out show with a stacked line-up of 7 bands for Don Giovanni Records annual showcase, which happened at Bowery Ballroom in February, the label have announced they are presenting two spring shows at Mercury Lounge NYC. April 24 features The Measure (SA), Byrds of Paradise (who will release a 7'' on the label), Modern Hut (the label's own Joe's band), and a special guest headliner. April 25 Shellshag headlines with Noun (Marisa Paternoster of Screaming Females solo project), Full of Fancy, Black Wine, and Pregnant. The show is $10 in advance. Get ready for another night of punk, rock, n roll goodness. Details below.