Band/Artist: Denison Marrs
Album: “Denison Marrs”

Label: Floodgate Records

Denison Marrs’ self-titled album marks their third release, the second one with Floodgate Records. Denison Marrs is based in Lakeland Florida and signed with Floodgate with the release of the second CD “Then Is The New Now”. DM formed in 1995 and has received quite a bit of critical acclaim and has a loyal fan base. They are known for their high-energy performances and distinctive sound.

Denison Marrs is Eric Collins on vocals and rhythm guitar, Daniel Day on lead guitar, Joseph Bucklew on bass and the newest member, Dean Lorenz, on drums. Both Eric and Dean are currently working on a side project with the band Party People .

The CD reminds me of Violet Burning in some ways, probably due to the sonic guitar work and moody vocals. There is a bit of an emo quality to the CD, which seems to have followed the band from their indie days. But DM isn’t easily categorized. It’s moody, atmospheric, alt-rock, mellow and anything else you want to label it with.

My favorite song would probably be “Secret Sinners.” It is the most different song on the CD, a little darker than the others and in my opinion, the best song on the CD. It has an almost foreboding feel to it, as if to get the listener to really understand the blackness of sin. At least that is what I get from it (I wish the lyrics were on the jacket!). I also like “You Are Everything,” a song of worship and devotion.

But the reason that I couldn’t give this more than a 3 is that I just couldn’t really connect with most of the CD. I just failed to make an emotional connection as a whole. And that is important to me, I have to be able to identify with the CD somewhere, something has to draw me in. But I also think that there will be some out there who will really like the CD, a fact based on their long running fan base. You can listen to some of their tracks here and decide for yourself.