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There are two kinds of art in this world. Art that is categorized into some sort of labeled genre and art that defies categorization. It is this second kind of art that brings innovation, that breeds new creativity and messes with our heads in ways that we can't quite explain. Within art, there is music. Within music there are labels for genres, then there are the delightful outliers. Something Fierce and the artist behind this wonderful album, Marian Call, are on that delightful crispy edge of music.
In my expansive music collection, spanning hundreds of artists and years, there are few artists that are so whimsically associative as Marian Call. The Alaska native with a penchant for musically transforming classic typewriters just has that something that tweaks that other something in that squishy mass of neurons in-between our ears. While a lot of music tweaks that center in the brain that says "I like this," you get the extra value of knowing that Marian truly cares that you care.
When I asked her if she had a message for fans upon the re-release of her amazing and defining album Something Fierce she had this to say: "I am just thankful thankful thankful thankful. The fans have done incredible things over and over. They made the record possible through the Donors' Circle, they made this tour possible by pre-buying the live album we're recording here, and they replaced my stolen laptop just yesterday. My fans are the best fans, and I will cross oceans for them and keep writing the best best music I can." Currently on a European tour, I have no doubt she'd repeat that sentiment with absolute sincerity to any fan who asked.
Marian Call writes music from a place of brevity, humor and self reflection. She crafts phrases of emotional calm, of Alaskan geography and geek culture. Never shying away from standing up during a panel at Comic-Con and breaking out into song or fooling around with artists such as Paul & Storm on a cruise ship, Marian is an entertainer at heart. Knowing and seeing that warmth in person changes perception of the music, and it makes it that much better.
As she is proud of the fact, it cannot be ignored that Marian Call is a geek girl (they do exist). While I generally don't like to segregate musicians based on their gender, when it comes to female artists Marian has one of the strongest voices out there. When I listen to her sing on a song such as "Temporal Dominoes" I can't but imagine everyone dancing and singing in some sort of medieval circle, but happy and not smelling like people would smell in medieval times. You know when time-period movies have modern soundtracks? It feels like that. There is something classic and timeless, but irrevocably modern and exciting.
Speaking about exciting, for the re-release of Something Fierce Marian is having a bit of fun with her fans. She's devised a series of challenges and quest items for her fans. While the contest ends tomorrow, it is worth checking out (and perhaps you can work extra hard and get it done tonight) at Marian Call Adventure Quest. I have not included any hints or clues in this article, but perhaps the best comments will be worth bonus points or something. That's not sanctioned by Marian, I just came up with that.
No matter what you do today, check out Something Fierce. This album is worthy of a re-release, or national release or space release. We'll launch it on the next Voyager. Sometimes tender, many times whimsical, the album is infused with cups of coffee, travel along the coast and subtle (and less than subtle) sarcasm. Inundated with geeky tenderness and playful ear drum massaging composition, Something Fierce has something for everyone.
You can check out Something Fierce on Bandcamp or Amazon.com. Make sure you follow Marian on Twitter and Facebook, where she is always interacting with her fans.
Photo by Brian Adams
