“Angels of Destruction” by Marah (Yep Roc) – Out now

An album titled “Angels of Destruction” should sound dark and melancholy. Maybe some sort of Christian metal thing.

But the ninth full-length release by Philly rockers Marah is bright and happy; folksy and smooth. It rocks out but not too hard. In a blending of styles, they come up with something that’s totally Americana – Springsteen meets Wilco.

From the very start, it sounds like they’re having fun. The beautifully named “Coughing Up Blood” is fast-paced and upbeat with background vocals that sound like the “ooga-chackas” from Blue Swede’s “Hooked on a Feeling.”
 
Throughout, there’s lots of religious imagery, which sort of seems like a prop for Marah. But really, what would a trip through Americana be without lots of religion tossed in. For Marah, though, it seems pretty obviously tongue-in-cheek, which goes back to that whole having-fun thing.

And when you're having fun, you can do whatever you want ... even sound like someone else and still pull it off.

"Jesus in the Temple" sounds like vintage Hollies; "Santos De Madera" sounds like John Mellencamp, minus all the Midwestern fluff; and most bizarrely, "You Can't Take it With You..." sounds like Randy Newman at his freewheeling best.

All of it fits into a neat little package that makes up one of the best indie releases in recent memory.

Sadly, though, the band that put this masterwork together is splitsville. Or at least, half the band is. With the rhythm section and a guitarist gone, they postponed an album release tour of the U.S., but they should regenerate in time for European tour later this month. Thank god.  

Download this track now:
"You Can't Take it With You"

Where to get it:

eMusic

iTunes

Amazon