Denison Marrs is not a new pop singer or an inane candy bar. Denison Marrs is simply a rock band. A badass, no-holds-barred rock band. Gritty and unpolished, these indie favorites are responsible for Then is the New Now, the most recent head-turning outing from Floodgate Records, the California-based upstart that has already wowed us with the intensity of hard rockers EastWest and the heartfelt sincerity of songstress Rita Springer.
On record, Denison Marrs' sonic output is very similar to that of Jimmy Eat World, minus the slick production and the uppity "whoa's." Think a meaner version of J.E.W. sans their trademark sweetness. From the rough-around-the-edges barrage that is the opening track and first single "What Life Has" and the tenacity of the cry for belonging "You Feel Like," the Marrs boys pull no punches in letting us know what their purpose is: to let the world know that life is passing and that our real home outlives the ephemeral nature of the things of earth. Declarations like "We wanna live for something, we don't really wanna die here" and "This is a great age for a rescue mission, a perfect time to save the world" nicely summarize such purpose, and, thankfully, they succeed at not coming off as apocalyptic prudes who are too good to hang out with you. These guys are actually humble about it
That's not all. Amidst the dirty sound and the piles of distortion, Then is the New Now maintains a noticeable sweet tooth for melody throughout thanks to the soaring tenor of lyricist Eric Collins, whose sloppy, almost amateurish intonation helps the music retain the touches of indie greatness that first got them noticed, a far cry from the pretty, high-pitched wails of their emo counterparts.
One thing that might disappoint slow jam freaks and those of the "an album must have at least 2 or 3 acoustic ballads or else it's a bad album" school of thought, is the non-existence of softer moments in this record. Yes, you have some tunes dealing with the beauty that is romantic love and even a psalm at the end that is very vertical in essence, but these are still amped-up, don't-mess-with-us rock numbers. At times they even slow the tempo a little, like in "Keeping It Cool," where the writer expresses his longing to have walked with the Savior to emulate his patience and his tact in dealing with others; but what starts as a softer song always ends up developing into an aggressive track, and this, in a sense, keeps the listener from taking a peek at the versatility of the band, if they have any.
Though it's evident that most people will be tempted to lump these guys with the latest oh-so-moving emo craze that's touching hearts and bringing families together all around the globe, this Florida foursome transcends the flavor-of-the-month qualities of such a movement. Rooted in life, purpose-driven, and with a clear sense of what their mission is, Denison Marrs can be counted as a band to watch in the coming years.
(In the meantime, try to catch them on the Switchfoot tour and see for yourself what the fuss is all about.)
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2003Reviewed by Bert GanglThe ability of any artist to call their musical influences clearly to the mind of the listener without simultaneously hurling down the slippery slope of outright plagiarism is indeed a rare one. For every band like, say, R.E.M. or the Gin Blossoms that has managed to harness the defining essence of their musical inspirations (in this case, the Byrds, among others) and translate that quantity into…The Phantom Tollbooth 2003Reviewed by Noel LloydOkay, the first thing I have to admit is that I love the name of this band--Denison Marrs. I am intrigued as to how they acquired it. Could it be the name of some obscure hero from a 1950s Roger Corman sci-fi flick? Or perhaps it is some turn of the century dead poet of whose prose I the inerudite philistine possess no knowledge? I am sure somebody could provide me with the answer, but I prefer…Decapolis August 2002Reviewed by Matt ModrichDenison Marrs is one of the best emo bands in the "Christian" scene, but has yet to receive the exposure they deserve. But for the first time ever many people will have an opportunity to hear their new record, "Then is the New Now," which will be nationally distributed by Floodgate Records. Blending the beauty of The Cure's vocals with the edginess of Jimmy Eat World, Denison Marrs has a unique…Similar sounding releases
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