 |  |  |  |  |  |
From The Isthmus April 20, 2007
Vol. 32, No. 16
Madison, WI
By Rich Albertoni
This debut release opens with a dose of happy Midwestern rock that follows
in the tradition of local acts like Marques Bovre and Clear Blue Betty. The
fiddle on “Dock Ellis,” a song about a pitcher who throws a no-hitter while
high on LSD, is full of joyous Irish influences. With all its early talk
about beer, baseball and back porches, Why Should I Change? may be the
perfect summer companion. But midway through the album, Marvin’s Garden
takes on darker themes (“Great Big Wondeful (Mess)”) and suddenly sounds
angular and psychedelic. The music’s tone hinges on whether Ken Leiser is
playing guitar or violin. His violin typically ushers in a celebratory
mood, but the band grows more introspective in its absence. Marvin’s Garden
is one of Madison’s newest bands and, judging from this release, one if its
most promising.
Vol. 32, No. 16
Madison, WI
By Rich Albertoni
This debut release opens with a dose of happy Midwestern rock that follows
in the tradition of local acts like Marques Bovre and Clear Blue Betty. The
fiddle on “Dock Ellis,” a song about a pitcher who throws a no-hitter while
high on LSD, is full of joyous Irish influences. With all its early talk
about beer, baseball and back porches, Why Should I Change? may be the
perfect summer companion. But midway through the album, Marvin’s Garden
takes on darker themes (“Great Big Wondeful (Mess)”) and suddenly sounds
angular and psychedelic. The music’s tone hinges on whether Ken Leiser is
playing guitar or violin. His violin typically ushers in a celebratory
mood, but the band grows more introspective in its absence. Marvin’s Garden
is one of Madison’s newest bands and, judging from this release, one if its
most promising.