I’ll be honest: As much as I like this song, I hoped someone else would review it. Icarus Phoenix‘s “Rebel Girl” – whether they know it or not – is a new addition to the Wiki Rock genre founded by Virgin of the Birds, packed with allusions and metaphors that sent me searching the internet but ultimately still left me scratching my head. (I’m not intending to impugn the songwriter here; I am particularly dense when it comes to comprehending lyrics.) What do Ted Bundy-escapee Carol DaRonch and labor leader Elizabeth Gurley Flynn have in common? Bravery, sure, but is there some deeper connection being made here? And what does cement have to do with it? And then the concluding refrain, “If you want to change their mind, first you empathize and listen with your heart.” It’s a nice idea, and we could certainly all use more empathy in our lives, but it’s probably more useful in some settings (labor organizing, disagreements between friends) than others (escaping a serial killer, being governed by fascists). You can see why I wasn’t going to get into the lyrics. My poor literal brain has basically short-circuited, albeit in a pleasing way.
But songs are about more than the lyrics, of course. (Thank goodness!) “Rebel Girl” has a relaxed, loping country feel, starting off with stripped-down guitars, skritchy percussion, and bass on the ones and threes, building up to a fuller arrangement with drum kit, banjo, wind instruments, and a number of vocalists backing up the lead. It feels like the band is having fun, supporting each other and leaving room for a little soloing here and there. And then that ending refrain; whatever you might think of the sentiment the melody is instantly memorable and you cannot help but sing along by the third time around, and you close your eyes and dance around, imagining yourself swirling around on stage with the band, singing about empathy and listening and changing minds.