Angels of Destruction!

No matter how many swank critical accolades accorded Marah, whether from the pen of Stephen King or the mouth of Bruce Springsteen who’s joined the band on stage, this Philly-based combo know that their primal appeal is exactly that, therefore it’s most important to keep that scrappy spirit alive at whatever cost. No one wants to hear these boys get comfortable. For album six, 2008’s Angels of Destruction, the Bielanko brothers, Dave and Serge, have added a keyboardist to their mix. But Christine Smith’s ivory tinklings are kept barroom raw and the band’s rhythm section doesn’t pause for extra flourishes. “Wilderness” gives the band room to stretch out in true Bob Dylan Highway 61 Revisited fashion, while straight-out rockers such as “Coughing Up Blood” and “Old Time Tickin’ Away” reflect the band’s jukejoint roots. “Blue But Cool” adds a shade of R&B, Graham Parker-style. “Jesus in the Temple” slides towards the blues. Dare we call such irreverent rockers traditionalists?