Album Review: Marnie Stern - The Chronicles of Marnia
- Written by Rob Aldam
After the release of her debut record In Advance of the Broken Arm, Marnie Stern was soon heralded as the greatest living female guitarist. She has since been wildly lauded for her technical skills and manic finger-tapping style; following up her debut with two critically acclaimed albums rife with high octane intensity and giddy abandon. The Chronicles of Marnia signals a slight change of direction and focus. Whilst she has taken her foot off the gas somewhat (it still feels like a whirlwind at times), her characteristic style and flair is ever-present.
With drummer Zach Hill leaving to concentrate full-time on Death Grips, the whole record is much less frenetic than her previous releases. However, by taking the foot off the pedal and giving her music space to breathe, Marnie has managed to produce her most impressive songwriting yet. During the first half of Chronicles of Marnia, you could be forgiven for thinking that she has found a more introspective, even poppy side. This is in no way a criticism, because the first half of the album is probably her best work yet. Yet, this is Marnie Stern, and she soon slips back into the crazed, anthemic madness for which she’s made her name. After all, this is the woman I witnessed telling an audience in an Austin church about selling her vagina (or a word to that effect) back in 2009.
Whilst Marnie can still shred with the best, this more relaxed and stretching approach to songwriting on Chronicles of Marnia exhibits another aspect of her talents. The lead single, ‘Year of the Glad’, opens with characteristically manic warbling before evolving into something quite reminiscent of The Joy Formidable. However, whilst at times the album may worry a memory of something else, she has stamped her own distinct mark all over it. ‘You Don’t Turn Down’ takes you back to the '90s, full of metal beats and fret-wetting goodness. ‘Immortals’ bubbles with youthful endeavour, with guitar work that harks back to the great guitarists of the late ‘60s; she will “come and find you”, have no doubt.
The Chronicles of Marnia is prime example of what a musician can achieve when they allow themselves some time to breathe. It’s the most accessible work Marnie Stern has produced yet, and arguably her best.
The Chronicles Of Marnia is out on March 18th and is available from amazon