Stern has cited many musical influences that contribute to her sound, including Hella, Lightning Bolt and Yoko Ono.
In early 2007, Kill Rock Stars released her debut album, In Advance of the Broken Arm. It was well received by critics, and most favorably by The New York Times, citing it as "the year's most exciting rock 'n' roll album." In mid 2007, Stern toured the US and UK with Hella's Zach Hill and The Advantage's Robby Moncrieff in support of her debut album. In 2008, Stern was named one of Venus Zine's "Greatest Female Guitarists of All Time," in their spring 2008 issue, and was nominated "Female Artist of the Year" and "Punk Album of the Year" for the 2008 Plug Music Awards.
Marnie Stern's second album, This Is 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, was released October 7, 2008. Upon release, it garnered the title of "Best New Music" as well as #44 on "The 50 Best Albums of 2008" from Pitchfork Media. Stern toured Europe and the US in support of the album with former U.S. Maple guitarist Mark Shippy, bassist Malia James, and a varying lineup of drummers.
Backed by bass player Nithin Kalvakota and former Tera Melos drummer Vincent Rogers, Stern spent most of 2010 and 2011 touring North America, Europe, and Australia in support of her third, self-titled album. She is currently recording a new studio album.
This American Life
Marnie Stern Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Energy is ripe enough.
I'll draw a pyramid.
Now I'm in the American Revolution.
I think you walk your feet so right
You walk in line, you march, you march, you march, you march
You walk in line, you walk in line, you march, you march, you march, you march
But I want to go back into the greek solution.
Mythology come take me away.
Repeat from top
Mythology come take me away.
Mythology come take me away
In Marnie Stern's song "This American Life," the lyrics explore the idea of energy and its transformative power. The opening line "Energy is just enough, Energy is ripe enough" suggests that energy can be enough to motivate change, to create something new, and to push boundaries. In the following line, "I'll draw a pyramid," Stern almost seems to be creating a symbol of this energy, a structure that can convey power and meaning.
The next few lines take us on a journey through history, with Stern referencing the American Revolution and the idea of marching in step. She acknowledges the power of conformity, of following orders and obeying the rules, but ultimately rejects it, saying "But I want to go back into the Greek solution." The Greek solution she's referring to could be a throwback to ancient Greek myths, where gods and goddesses ruled and myths were born.
The final lines repeat twice, as if a mantra, "Mythology come take me away." Perhaps she's asking to be transported out of the present and into a world of imagination and possibility, where energy and mythology can combine to create something truly unique and transformative.
Line by Line Meaning
Energy is just enough
The intensity of my enthusiasm is appropriate for the situation.
I'll draw a pyramid.
I intend to visualize a hierarchal structure.
Now I'm in the American Revolution.
I feel like I am part of a significant historic event in American society.
I think you walk your feet so right
You exhibit conformity and regimentation in your movement.
You walk in line, you march, you march, you march, you march
You follow strict orders and repeat them exactly as given.
But I want to go back into the greek solution.
I prefer the ancient Greek method of seeking knowledge and wisdom.
Mythology come take me away.
I wish to escape into the fantasy world of mythology.
Mythology come take me away.
I wish to escape into the fantasy world of mythology.
Contributed by Anthony D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.