Marah: Angels Of Destruction!

The theory of classic-rock evolution, as devised

by staunch traditionalists like The Black Crowes and Oasis, is centered on

survival of the fittest. Those who can maintain the retro swagger long

enough—at least one decade, with a minimum of two original

members—can go from pretending to be classic-rock bands to simply being them.

Sure enough, almost exactly 10 years after Marah's debut (the memorably titled Let's

Cut The Crap And Hook Up Later On Tonight), the Philly-born and Brooklyn-based band

rocks with the unselfconscious finesse of a grizzled veteran on Angels Of

Destruction! Songwriters

Dave and Serge Bielanko have immersed themselves in classic-rock vocabulary for

so long that it's practically their primary language. "Angels On A Passing

Train" and the terrific rock-soul ballad "Blue But Cool" don't have anything particularly

interesting to say—the lyrics are all about salvation, redemption, and

other big ideas Craig Finn repackages far more ingeniously—but they jump

out of the speakers with just the right mix of conviction and craftsmanship.

Emulating Springsteen back when emulating Springsteen wasn't cool is starting

to pay off.