Marnie Stern

Marnie Stern: On A Tightrope (Kill Rock Stars)

Note: This is not s/t, it's called On A Tightrope

Marnie’s voice sounds indicative of Jonsi from Sigur Rós: high-pitched, like a child’s. Lyrics—FCC clean—are simple, too despite the titles. However, her guitar playing is kind of showy (she shreds), as is her drummer’s. Expect high-energy and time changes galore. Label’s pushing 01, 03 & 04.

Best tracks: 01, 03, 08

01 For Ash 4:27: upbeat; spastic drums, frantic gtr, anthemic female vox, chanting, diff rhythms
02 Nothing Left 2:58: fast; noisy, reminiscent of Primus
***03 Transparency Is The New Mystery 2:57: upbeat; lively lead gtr, throbbing drums, celebratory vox stand out
04 Risky Biz 3:16: upbeat; chanting, sounds like being on a kiddie train
05 Female Guitar Players Are The New Black 3:13: upbeat; shredding guitar licks over a quirky pop song w/ lots of vox overdubs, spastic drums
06 Gimme 4:11: fast; spastic gtr & drums; Minutemenesque at times
07 Cinco De Mayo 3:17: upbeat; gtr shredding, belted-out vox, drums sound like someone falling down the stairs
08 Building A Body 3:03: upbeat; Sleater-Kinneyesque march
09 Her Confidence 3:09: mid-tempo rocker that avalanches into discord
10 The Things You Notice 3:34: rung-out gtr over noodling gtr & vox (no drums)