Sometimes strangled, sometimes assaulting with strobelight intensity, Marnie's back, and I couldn't be more excited. There is not a soul in music producing this kind of sound, and I can't wait for the October 5th Kill Rock Star's release of Marnie Stern. Describing Marnie's guitar virtuosity is fruitless at this point, because descriptors are difficult to hone in on. The blistering chorus of "For Ash" manages to sound like someone karate-chopping her in the throat, yet it's entirely melodic at the same time. When it comes to staggering and colorful experimentation, Stern reigns as queen with smoke flying from her fingertips. As far as early comparisons to her back catalog, I'm intrigued slightly by the backseat the noodling takes in this one, leaving Marnie's alien-starship vocals front and center. This isn't a huge leap away from her last record, at least parts of it. She's left us with the album's opener here, and if this is your first listen, have a seat and tie your shoes tightly.
