Marah: Life Is A Problem

Marah
Life Is A Problem
Valley Farm Songs [2010]









Fire Note Says: Marah changes lineup but still offers honest rock n' roll on Life Is A Problem.

Album Review:
With the absence of longtime collaborator and brother Serge Bielanko plus replacing the rhythm section, this Marah record already comes out of the gate with a different attitude. The interesting thing for fans is that, remaining bro, Dave Bielanko keeps things on Life Is A Problem fairly simple and straightforward, while offering another 10 tracks of gritty rock n roll. With Serge not in the picture it does open the door to use another longtime member in the band Christine Smith to help out with writing and producing. This change also offers a large front door for Smith's vocals and on more then one track she chimes in equally with a shadowing voice that helps sell the honesty of the tracks. With that said, Life Is A Problem has a very mid-tempo pace that could have used a little help from some more upbeat type songs. Marah is a band that has never been able to catch up with their most critically hailed record Kids In Philly [2000] and for whatever reason have never be able to recreate that perfect blend of Americana, rock and pop. You won't find it here either but Life Is A Problem does change up some of Marah's formulas, as songs combine their style of Americana with a little Celtic punk. This new approach might just be the catalyst to put Marah back on the map - even if Life Is A Problem is only the start.

Key Tracks: "Within The Spirit Sagging", "High Water", "Valley Farm Song"

Bands With Similar Fire:
Jesse Malin & The St. Marks Social
The Replacements
Butch Walker

Marah: Angels Of Destruction! [Fire Note Review 1/28/08]

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-Reviewed by Christopher Anthony