As Denison Marrs, they crafted their sound primarily from 90's rock with a bit of 80's sheen thrown in - comparisons can be made to early Smashing Pumpkins, the Cure, Radiohead, etc. Denison Marrs took these influeces and ran with them, creating a unique space rock soundscape that pulsed with sheer power. However, the band was also able to utilize elements of delicacy, primarily through the lyrics of frontman Eric Collins.
Denison Marrs was also important for their contribution to Christian music, carrying the torch of the underground movement began by the Prayer Chain, Stavesacre, and Starflyer 59 - the latter two being bands that Denison Marrs were able to tour with.
Their first album, "Holding Hands @ 35,000 Ft.", set the stage for a successful run as a band with a serious cult following. Taking all of the typical traits of the emo/space rock genre and tweaking them just a bit, Denison Marrs presented a sound full of melodic hooks and firmamental lyrics, backed by solid drum beats, innovative bass lines, and elegant guitar work.
"World Renown for Romance" remains their most popular record, and is arguably their best. The songwriting is cohesive - it's a concept album about love, for starters - and the quality of the arrangements and performances are consistent from one song to the next.
For the third record, entitled "Then is the New Now", the band chose to proceed in a different direction. There is more of an effort to bring a brighter, pop production to the songs, and while some of the tracks suffer because of this, the successes ("What Life Has", "This Must Be Love") are certainly noticeable.
The final release from Denison Marrs was an eponymous record that moved back towards darker territory, albeit without long-time drummer Jon Bucklew, who had left the band to join Copeland. His drum seat was a very difficult one to fill, but Dean Lorenz did an excellent job. Long-time fans began reinvesting in the band when they announced their break-up earlier in 2006.
Ultraviolet
Denison Marrs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where ultraviolet rays collide
Incredible particles of light
Make it easy to identify
Let's put some space between us
And the rest of the civilized world
They'll gladly bid their farewells
We'll make for the sky
Just as soon as the moon
Turns out the lights
No time will apply
When we become one
And we glide
Traveling at the speed of sight
So let's make our lunar mission
And tell no one of our new found dimension
Then just as we reach the night side
We'll tear off into our new life
The lyrics of Denison Marrs's song Ultraviolet speak to a desire to escape the confines of society and embark on a new journey of discovery in a new dimension. The idea is that the singers must leave behind the comfortable yet mundane life they live in the civilized world and find a new home among the ultraviolet rays that wonderfully collide to create incredible particles of light. This other world is presented as the place where they will find their future.
The singers in the song believe that by putting some space between them and the civilized world, they will be able to find themselves in this strange new world where they might find meaning in their lives. The idea of the lunar mission is presented as a metaphor for their longing to escape the trappings of their current mundane existence. By traveling at the speed of sight, they wish to become one and glide along the ultraviolet rays. This otherworldly location is supposed to be the place where the singers will begin their new life.
Overall, the song has a dreamlike quality that speaks to a human desire to escape and explore the unknown. It provides a sense of hope and optimism amidst the tediousness of everyday life.
Line by Line Meaning
We'll find our future
We will discover our destiny
Where ultraviolet rays collide
At the point where UV beams converge
Incredible particles of light
An astonishing stream of photons
Make it easy to identify
Facilitate easy recognition
Let's put some space between us
Let's distance ourselves from others
And the rest of the civilized world
And the remainder of society
They'll gladly bid their farewells
Others will be content to say goodbye
To you and me
To us
We'll make for the sky
We will head for the heavens
Just as soon as the moon
As soon as the lunar sphere
Turns out the lights
Switches its luminosity off
No time will apply
Temporal constraints won't restrict us
When we become one
When we unite
And we glide
And soar effortlessly
Traveling at the speed of sight
Zooming at the quickness of thought
So let's make our lunar mission
Let us undertake our journey to the moon
And tell no one of our new found dimension
Without revealing our newfound exploration
Then just as we reach the night side
As soon as we are in the night side of the moon
We'll tear off into our new life
We will race into our fresh existence
Contributed by Makayla O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.