Matahari

Shrine of Counterfeits
by Nick Maglione

Gwen Stefani would be proud: Cutesy chick with “who, me?” vibe makes good as front-woman in an otherwise dude-inhabited outfit. Indeed, European singer Ivona would make most rock chicks beam. Besides an obvious debt to latter-day female vocalists, she also owes a debt to older, more acceptable singers like The Go-Go’s Belinda Carlisle, and The Waitresses’ Patty Donahue. While Ivona is at least kinda-sorta believable in the leader role, her band louses everything up. Rather than framing her voice with lush chords and dreamy melodies, they jerk it all over their Guitar Center rigs for thirteen songs.
(www.mataharirocks.com)