Penny Ikinger - Electra
(Career)
Messrs. Sanchez and Tek over at Career continue their marvelous documentation of the (female) Australian underground scene with this fascinating release from one of rock's most impressive (and, in the US at least, scandalously unknown outside of a small circle of Aussie indie fanatics) female guitarists. Part Joan Jett, part Chrissie Hynde (whose viciously sweet warble is most evident on the title track), it's clear from the blazing fury of opener "Poison Berries" that Penny Ikinger is ready to take America by storm.
Ikinger's white noise, boffo-distorto six-string mayhem is particularly noteworthy on "Shipwrecked," which puts you right on the bow as that ship goes down headfirst to the bottom of the murky depths. It is the closest any female—hell, any human—has come to replicating the virtuostic majesty of Hendrix. Upstairs, I'm sure the big guy is smiling.
The dramatically draining, emotionally exhausting 71/2 minutes of "Maid of Orleans" (with a new "Prelude" composed by classical composer Gregory Donovan) will be a welcome surprise to fans who may only be familiar with its original version on Ikinger's Songs from the Deep EP (Independent, 2001). Ikinger's whistling sustains and howling vocals also propel the haunting "Andalusian Man" through the enveloping wall-of-sound production (courtesy of Ikinger and Craig Harnath), which plops our hero right into your lap.
Unfortunately, Ikinger's vocals are buried under the gothic blues of "Stuck Inside," but the song is nearly rescued by her blistering, swampadelic soloing. The gut-wrenching soul dump of "The One I Sent Away" will no doubt draw comparisons with fellow Aussie crooner Nick Cave, although the dirty-assed, alcohol-fueled backing is more Crazy Horse than Bad Seeds. For those who like their wild women and their blues with a ballsy, punky aftertaste, Ikinger should be at the top of your "to do" list. And every copy of Electra should come with a XXX advisory sticker attached: "Warning: Contents Xceedingly hot and under Xtreme pressure; Xercize caution while listening to avoid serious injury!"
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