The Chronicles of Marnia
If the previous albums of Marnie Stern showcase her eccentric guitar genius, then *The Chronicles of Marnia* thrusts her unconventional songwriting into the spotlight. The set unfolds like a neon-splashed labyrinth, its path winding through deliriously fizzy underground rock (“Year of the Glad”) and ebullient bursts of hyper-melodic art pop (“Still Moving”). Of course, there’s plenty of her trademark finger-tapping—it’s all over the seesawing “East Side Glory”—only this time around, it serves as a compositional counterpoint to her otherworldly chirps and peeps.
Marnie Stern's fourth album is an extension of the transition that began on her 2010 self-titled record toward a more controlled, subdued sound. Marnia is still aggressive, busy, and bright, but new drummer Kid Millions gives it a welcome sway, and the relative calm lets Stern's vulnerability shine through.
Marnie Stern's fourth album is an extension of the transition that began on her 2010 self-titled record toward a more controlled, subdued sound. Marnia is still aggressive, busy, and bright, but new drummer Kid Millions gives it a welcome sway, and the relative calm lets Stern's vulnerability shine through.
After two records of chaotic, sprawling displays of fretboard fireworks, Marnie Stern struck the right balance of shredder bombast and relative accessibility on 2010’s self-titled effort. Follow-up The Chronicles Of Marnia (a title that is either bad, or wonderfully bad) continues down that softer and straightforward…
After two records of chaotic, sprawling displays of fretboard fireworks, Marnie Stern struck the right balance of shredder bombast and relative accessibility on 2010’s self-titled effort. Follow-up The Chronicles Of Marnia (a title that is either bad, or wonderfully bad) continues down that softer and straightforward…
The strength of those songs is the most impressive thing about the album: quite something considering Stern’s flabbergasting skill on the electric guitar.
The strength of those songs is the most impressive thing about the album: quite something considering Stern’s flabbergasting skill on the electric guitar.
Where Marnie Stern’s deeply wistful self-titled 2010 album was inspired by the death of a beloved ex-boyfriend, whose ghost…
Where Marnie Stern’s deeply wistful self-titled 2010 album was inspired by the death of a beloved ex-boyfriend, whose ghost…
Check out our album review of Artist's The Chronicles of Marnia on Rolling Stone.com.
Check out our album review of Artist's The Chronicles of Marnia on Rolling Stone.com.
With Marnie Stern’s signature sound long honed to a tee, Chronicles of Marnia sees the voyage of this born shredder take a turn for the less frenetic. Though still rooted in jaw-dropping fretwork, the intensity has shifted down a gear, and the relative lightness is flattering.
With Marnie Stern’s signature sound long honed to a tee, Chronicles of Marnia sees the voyage of this born shredder take a turn for the less frenetic. Though still rooted in jaw-dropping fretwork, the intensity has shifted down a gear, and the relative lightness is flattering.
Denizens of the Internet launched the word "epic" squarely into overuse territory, but with your permission, reader, I'd like to reclaim it to discuss The Chronicles of Marnia.
Denizens of the Internet launched the word "epic" squarely into overuse territory, but with your permission, reader, I'd like to reclaim it to discuss The Chronicles of Marnia.