The Chronicles of Marnia
by Marnie Stern
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Derezzination
    May 19, 2013
    7
    What this album does well is blend the vocals and guitars of Marnie Stern in a way that you are compelled to listen to the album over and over again. I actually feel that’s the best way to approach this album. The first track “Year Of The Glad” draws you in, but not as much as “For Ash” of her 2010 eponymous album.

    Throughout the album the guitar work is amazing, the vocals match this.    What this album does well is blend the vocals and guitars of Marnie Stern in a way that you are compelled to listen to the album over and over again. I actually feel that’s the best way to approach this album. The first track “Year Of The Glad” draws you in, but not as much as “For Ash” of her 2010 eponymous album.

    Throughout the album the guitar work is amazing, the vocals match this. Stand-out track vocally for me personally is on “Nothing Easy”. I really like the layered vocals lines, it give melodic dissonance somehow, it feels, deep down like it shouldn’t work, but it really does. The song is really enjoyable and it’s at this point where the album has already won you over, especially with “Noonan” preceding it. As for “Noonan”, the guitar work, whilst not all about the tapping and the soloing, stylistic it feels different, even though the production on this song, and on the majority of the album remains the same,

    A song I really like, and I think I’d say it’s my favourite is “Proof Of Life” just because dynamically is sounds so different. It’s more somber, it has piano in and a quiet guitar lick playing in conjunction. Being the penultimate track on the album it really eases you into “Hell Yes”, which is a song that just limps away, it left me disappointed, maybe that a good thing.

    Overall The Chronicles of Marnia is a strong album that sadly suffers from repetition that takes multiple listen to wade through, but when you get there, you really are in for something special.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 30
  3. Negative: 0 out of 30
  1. cokemachineglow
    Apr 12, 2013
    70
    Not so much a change of pace as a consolidation and careful re-allotment of her powers.
    Read full review
  2. NOW Magazine
    Apr 11, 2013
    80
    She sounds like she’s rediscovering the thrill of making music, and a nervy triumph pervades.
    Read full review
  3. Consequence
    Apr 2, 2013
    80
    On Marnie Stern’s fourth album, her guitar playing is as grand as her self-doubt, yet The Chronicles of Marnia is Stern’s most buoyant work.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »