Marah

Like their guiding spirit Rocky Balboa, Philadelphia, PA’s hard-luck Bielanko brothers and the rest of Marah are hard to keep down. Almost everything they’ve put out during their decade-long existence has sparked heated debate over whether they are true inheritors of America’s roots punk tradition or mere pretenders. Although it might not settle the argument once and for all, Angels of Destruction sufficiently builds upon the passion harnessed on the band’s previous two studio albums as proof that Marah are in it for the long haul, despite what their detractors might say. Most of the album’s balance is tilted toward an initial blast of rockers: "Old Time Tickin’ Away,” "Angels On A Passing Train” and "Wild West Love Song,” which bear all of the Bielankos’ trademark reckless abandon and Springsteen-inspired poetry. But following that, there are signs of musical growth, especially on the gospel-heavy "Jesus In The Temple,” the charming, Ray Davies-esque "Songbirdz,” and the easy-swinging, Stones-y title track. Such descriptions might suggest that Marah are a band that missed their time. But on the contrary, with the noticeable lack of genuine roots rockers around today, an album like Angels of Destruction is more necessary now than ever.