Newcomer is pro at pleasing listener

Bif Naked: I, Bificus

Studio: Her Royal Majesty's Records / Atlantic

Tracks: 12

Running Time:

Genre: Punk-pop

Rating: yyyyy

If you have not seen her video on M2 or 120 Minutes, Bif Naked can best be described physically as a sort of gothic Cleopatra. She looks like what Gwen Stefani's evil twin would look like.

Do not let this exterior appearance fool you, because she can be passionate and open about her emotions and desires. Bif has found an outlet for all these feelings her latest release, I, Bificus. She has taken the role as a leader among men as she forges her own way through the industry.

Born in New Delhi, India in 1971, Bif was adopted by American missionaries and eventually ended up in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Fresh out of high school she joined a local band, Jungle Milk, and married her drummer although the relationship quickly dissolved.

After several other bands, Bif went solo, as she could not express herself fully in the male oriented punk scene. She released three albums in 3 years and created her own label, Her Royal Majesty's Records in 1995.

Also in 1995, after years of self-abuse, Bif decided to go straight edge as signified by the X on each hand. Straight edge is a punk rock lifestyle that forbids drugs, drink, meat and promiscuous carnal activities. Although she admits she deviates from the rules by refusing to give up caffeine and those carnal activities.

So you might be wondering what punk-pop is exactly? It is a combination of the music and attitude of punk with the freedom of expression pop brings. In this vein, Bif can write song about love and still give it an edge of punk. Her songs involve themes of love either gained or, her main focus, lost.

The album sends a mostly positive message, as Bif see herself as a role model to some of her fans. The first track, "I Died," is a perfect combination of both the punk and pop genres.

The song that incorporates the most punk sound on the album is "Moment of Weakness," a "hand-picked" video on M2 for September. "Any Day Now" and "Lucky" offer a more subdued look at life. The hauntingly autobiographical track, "Chotee" shows Bif's musical range. The song "Twitch" is delightfully humorous and the way she says twitch makes me twitch myself.

Overall, this album is a very good release for a newcomer to the mainstream audience, but already a pro at pleasing the listener. Now, whenever some stupid song gets stuck in my head, I can now use "Moment of Weakness" or "I Died" to take its place in my head. And that's fine with me.