"Peace and Noise" is the seventh studio album by American rock musician Patti Smith, released on September 30, 1997, under Arista Records. The album features a combination of rock songs along with introspective and complex tunes. It's led by the single "1959", a tribute to the 1959 Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule.
The backgrounds and influences on the album are diverse, from punk and hard rock to beat poetry and avant-garde literature, reflecting Smith's eclectic interests and styles. The album can also be seen as a response to the personal loss she experienced in the preceding years before its production, including the deaths of her husband Fred "Sonic" Smith and her brother Todd, which had moved her to return to music.
"Peace and Noise" was produced by collaborator and guitarist Lenny Kaye along with the rest of her band. The album received positive reviews upon its release and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for the song "1959".
Unfortunately, the album failed to achieve much commercial success, as at the time of release, there was a decline in demand for punk rock music in the mainstream scene. However, it continues to be appreciated among critics and fans alike for its raw, honest lyricism, and personal themes.
