Album Notes

Even through the stereo speakers, Inka has a prescence that shakes the atmosphere. The video accompanying her debut NAME BRAND GODDESS shows her as a beautifully bejeweled pagan priestess with a celestial commanding voice. Think Kate Bush with a chorus of Enyas in the background.

That voice is heavenly. Throughout the cd, it dances, croons, entices, curses, laughs. I just want to light an incense stick and dance to these songs. I want to grow my hair down to my waist like hers and adorn myself with body glitter.

She's not just mystic, poetic, and dreamy, although many of her songs flow from that vibe. She can also rock on acoustic and electric guitars, and one track, "Tick Tock", is actually flavored with country influences. The only thing these songs have in common is their unpredictability. She may be in the middle of a heavy, dramatic, tidal wave of rock music, but if she feels like switching to something quieter and new-agey, why wait until the next track? Now's a good a time as any. Which is why tracks like "John Lennon Jesus" can be described as lush pop/racing acoustic rock/ occasionally operatic rock/performance art. Just trust me on this. I listened to it twice.

And this cd really does require several listens. These songs
have such texture and variation, it's almost too much to take in at first. I did find a couple of favorites- the psychedelic, mournful "Metal & Sand & Loneliness" was one. The other, a staccato rocker called "Crow", stands out for its excellent production. The guitars are slightly distorted, while the vocal is so crisp, it sounds like it's coming from inside my head. The song is alive.

NAME BRAND GODDESS is dark and mysterious, energizing and frenzied, poetic and honest. " Your heart is a sacred garden.... a closed fist cannot receive", Inka sings on "Ecstasy in the Fire". Open your hands and heart to her. You won't regret it.

Indie-music.com May 2004 review
by Jennifer Layton