Exene Cervenka and the Original Sinners

This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of Exene Cervenka's arrival in Los Angeles and the fiftieth anniversary of the punk grande dame's arrival on earth. To prove she's still going strong, Cervenka has released a brand-new album with her "band," the Original Sinners -- made up of collaborator Jason Edge and a St. Louis trio usually known as the 7 Shot Screamers. Full of rollicking, rockabilly-tinged ditties, jittery punk energy and the country flavor that the singer brings to all her projects, from X to the Knitters, Sev7enwould be a strong effort from a young band just cutting its teeth, but feels a bit rote coming from the veteran who helped define a scene and a sound. Of course, that criticism would be completely unfounded if Cervenka hadn't set the bar so high during the past three decades. With energy and passion that is sorely lacking in much of what passes for punk these days, this spunky old sister recalls with only a hint of nostalgia (check the Gun Club cover) what was truly great about a bygone era.