Marnie Stern - 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

Where do you start with this album? I guess you have to start with the title. I don't know why, but I really like it. It just makes me smile and I kind want to get people on video trying to say it over and over as fast as they can. Don't you?

So ok, past the title. How about the person? Marnie Stern's story is well documented, you can find it here. In short, she's the Upper East Side girl who started performing late in the game and (it turns out) she's a ridiculous guitarist. Her speed-metal technique and punk sensibilities make for an interesting listen. But I've got to tell you, with this album, it takes quite a few listens before it starts to come together.

I guess the problem is that there's just way too much going on. When Coltrane rips off a solo his drums and bass knew how to stay out of the way. But here, you've got a drummer who's hammering out these bizarrely syncopated rhythms that don't at first, seem to mesh with Stern's high-speed fingering. It's like a case of dueling virtuosity.

So I listened through this album once and I laughed a lot. I had that "holy shit" laugh that comes out when you're impressed enough that words fail. I also had that "what the fuck?" laugh when the music started to sound like the motorcyclists who drive around the sphere at high speeds and barely manage to miss each other. And of course, I had the laugh of recognition when it finally sunk in that this album, which I first described as "a mess," actually works at a level that took me some time to see.

The fact is, I just didn't get it. There's some very cool music going on here and it works. At the same time, I do hold on to some of my criticisms. While her talent is unquestionable, I'd like to be more convinced of her creativity. She lays down textures, but nary a solo. It's a Guitar Hero nightmare, but I'm not sure it'd be fun to play.

Also, when she sings, she sometimes sounds like Sarah Silverman in that kind-of-annoying sort of way. TIIIAIYAISITHIISIIIIITIT is a really interesting listen, but I don't know that it's an album I'd tell all of my friends to buy. Maybe just Dubs.

I'll tell you this, though, her next album's going to be sick.