It's obvious to whom Denison Marrs owes their musical debts--Sunny Day Real Estate, Stavesacre and the Smashing Pumpkins, among others--but they've still managed to craft a semi-original take on emo with World Renown For Romance, their second full-length record and their first on Velvet Blue.
Their version of the truth is anthemic, vaguely self-righteous, and alternately thick and thin, as twangy arpeggios give way to walls of distortion and lead singer Eric Collins wails his lyrics in a fashion that, if not entirely in-key, isn't unattractive, either. This holds up quite well for the first half of the album, through songs like "Send the Stars" and especially "The New Droan (Light Years Away)," but halfway through the album, we encounter "Twilight Eyelight," a sludgy mess that stops the band's momentum dead in its tracks. They never quite recover from this, and the second half of the record is decidedly inferior, although "A Consequence Plan" and the splendid, sweeping instrumental "Transatlantic" almost fix things.
3.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2002Reviewed by John WilsonDenison Marrs' latest record, World Renown For Romance, wanders through a dozen musings about life, love, and other mysteries, stopping to linger on the 'love' part. Some of the songs move straight through, with Collins passing rapidly from verse to chorus and back again, but most meander through a haze of fuzz and drifting guitars. Denison is probably the closest thing to a Radiohead clone in…Decapolis 2001Reviewed by Brett MiottiRight away you'll notice a different Denison Marrs than on their last full length, "Holding Hands @ 35,000 Feet". But boy oh boy is it a nice change. On "World Reknown for Romance," these fine gents take what was so promising from the first long player and mold it into something beautiful! While Denison Marrs retains their knack for creating dreamy textures and sounds they have learned to tap…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Andy ArgyrakisI've heard many bands on the verge of breaking up say that the whole grind of touring and recording just isn't worth it anymore. The long nights, low pay, and sheer stress of the music business can be enough for anyone to throw in the towel when the going gets tough. Denison Marrs is one of those bands that fits the above explanation. The fact that their record label went bankrupt, leaving them…The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Trae CadenheadThere are a small number of bands that are making good, original-sounding alternative music these days. The bands don't get near the recognition that they deserve. Bands like Pedro the Lion, Starflyer 59, TwoThirtyEight, and now Denison Marrs. Denison Marrs has been hiding out in Florida for a few years, playing shows and releasing some music, but only in limited numbers. Now, with the new…More from Denison Marrs
2004Denison Marrs
2001Stavesacre / Denison Marrs
2002Then Is the New Now
1999Holding Hands (@35,000 ft)
