Sooner or Later In Spain

The main feature of Marah's split DVD/CD Sooner or Later in Spain release is a full-length document of the group's November 2005 concert in Mataro, Spain. Covering 21 songs that span their whole career, Marah's performance is recklessly heartfelt and thrilling. Both Bielanko brothers are loose as a goose and the show is a lot of fun to watch — not as much as fun as being there but close. The DVD also packs some extra live footage taken from various shows in 2005 and 2006, including a version of Ronnie Lane's "Debris" recorded in London, which is preceded by Nick Hornby (a huge Marah fan) reading while the band makes noise behind him. The audio portion of the set is almost secondary to the visuals, but it too is a fine selection of live tracks taken from shows and radio performances. Most of the songs come from 2005's brilliant release If You Didn't Laugh You'd Cry (including a heartbreaking version of "City of Dreams"), but the stripped-down version of "It's Only Money, Tyrone" (from Kids in Philly) and rollicking updates of "Barstool Boys" (also from Kids in Philly) and "Fever" (from Let's Cut the Crap and Hook Up Later on Tonight) make the set essential for Marah fans.