‘This Is It and I Am It and You Are It and so is That and He Is It and She Is It and It Is It and That Is That’ by Marnie Stern 

 What can I really say about Marnie Stern? Rarely in the history of music has something been so explosively out of left field. Marnie makes such insane, complex music I could probably be convinced she is an alien and has come to whip humanity into a hypnotic state. I think I’m ok with that.

 Marnie actually comes from New York City where she garnered a taste for bands like Lightning Bolt, Deerhoof and Hella. The best way I can use to describe Marnie’s guitar playing is with an equation that goes something like, Best Parts of Van Halen+The London Symphony+Glenn Branca+A Good Dose of Speed. Something along those lines. The point is, she will melt your face. Period. 

 Now with a talent like Marnie Stern it’s hard to make a band. It’s nearly impossible to find people to keep up. Lucky for us there is enough talent out there to not only keep up but further great talents like Marnie. I am speaking in particular of drummer Zach Hill of Hella. I can’t think of anyone else who could compliment the nerve shattering guitar tapping Marnie lays down. The end result is a sensation that equals your finger in an electrical socket, but in a great way. Marnie Stern is definitely not something you listen to after a long day and are looking to wind down. It’s more the kind of album you put on to stay awake after days of sleeplessness or on a long road trip when you need to keep your eyes wide to make it to the next stop. It’s pure tapping insanity.

 All that being said, this is not an album you want to miss. Even if hyper guitar punk rock doesn’t sound like your thing, you’ve at least got listen in awe to the precision and speed. If this were a Guitar Hero song the controllers would explode. Just get a bucket first so you have something to catch your melted face in.

Song: ‘The Package is Wrapped’