The moody rock on
Peabody's second album has echoes of L.A. hipsters
Downy Mildew, who pioneered the blend of jangle pop, tough rock guitar, and sultry female vocals. Karen Protti's sweetly toned but powerful voice has a wide expressive range, and she suits her delivery to the songs exquisitely. The band backs her superbly, and this album sounds like a group on its way to stardom. Unfortunately, personnel changes and other problems sabotaged
Peabody's career, and it was several years before a follow-up emerged. Review copies of
Heroine were sent to critics nationwide and received positive reviews, but distribution was nonexistent, the band wasn't touring, and a fine album didn't get the public attention it deserved.