Perfectly-named for a singer with such a raw and naked style, Skin ­is the striking black punk popster chick who used to front ’90s British band, Skunk Anansie. Fake Chemical State is her brilliant second solo album, follow-on to 2003’s Fleshwounds.
Fake Chemical State is one of those records that rewards repeated listening, so over a week or so nearly every song takes a turn in the ‘best on the album’ slot. Moving in mood from anger and pain to exuberance and hedonism to joy, loss and tenderness, Skin brings us on a journey whose musical expressions range from mad screaming guitar driven punk to expansive rock opera, with stopovers at heartbreaking ballad and psychedelic pop on route. At the end of the trip you’re left with a wonderful sense of having been transported somewhere magical without really knowing how you got there.
My current favourite is ‘Just Let The Sun’, because the hope and courage in its soaring chorus, “Just let the sun shine on your face/Only the darkness blinds your way” makes me cry. Former favourites have been the demented ‘Don’t Need A Reason’ and ‘Nothing But’, a slow, sad and melodic tune about wishing an ex good luck with their new love, with enlightened sentiments like “I feel nothing but joy and pride and happiness/Oceans of love and forgiveness/I’m still your friend.”
A real delight from start to finish, Fake Chemical State proves that Skin has something extraordinarily unique and powerful to offer. Highly recommended for hard rock/punk pop fans and admirers of consciously empowered female vocalists.