The Chronicles of Marnia
by Marnie Stern
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
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  1. Exclaim
    Mar 15, 2013
    60
    On her fourth album, inventive and demented singer/songwriter/guitar hero Marnie Stern whips up a potent batch of quirky, invigorating and, at times, beautiful new material.
  2. Q Magazine
    Mar 13, 2013
    60
    She plainly knows the meaning and benefit of brevity. [Apr 2013, p.110]
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  3. The A.V. Club
    Mar 19, 2013
    58
    The Chronicles Of Marnia is chock full of these reminders of Stern’s instrumental dexterity and flawlessly meticulous execution, but without the intense theatrics, flair, and helter-skelter points of tension and release, it never quite transcends into the thrilling mess that is such a good vehicle for her talents.
  5. Sputnikmusic
    Mar 22, 2013
    50
    The album musters such little excitement from its arsenal of dynamic guitar solos and yells of self-affirmation.

User Reviews

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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
  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 overWhat 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.    … Full Review »
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