20,000 Streets Under the Sky

by Marah

Overview

The kids from Philly continue their widescreen explorations into the street characters and urban landscapes they have been moving toward during their past three albums. Self-recording with their own funds and without major-label input hasn't cheapened the group's approach. In fact, this is arguably their best-sounding disc, with instruments reverberating in multiple overdubs and frontman/lyricist David Bielanko's aching vocals -- somewhat like the Del Fuegos' Dan Zanes -- as clear, soulful, and potent as if he's in the room with you. Theirs is the shimmering, noir world of outsiders, junkies, loners, and doomed lovers that Bruce Springsteen (who guested on their last release) so effectively portrays. But on this gritty album the doo wop and Brill Building '60s pop roots are more fully explored. Even without hearing David's haunting lyrics, the handclaps, horns, and backing vocals erupt in a visceral, shambling production that evokes city tenement life on the poorer side of town with West Side Story toughness. Although not a rock opera or even a themed disc, David and brother Serge have crafted a stunning and detailed audio version of the inner city, as seen by scrappy rock & rollers with an ear for the past. It's a big, brooding, and often joyous album, as the multi-layered tracks make each immaculately crafted song sound as forceful and unpredictable as a runaway train. Along with the prominent Springsteen influence, are nods to fellow New Jersey-ite Southside Johnny, especially in the singalong choruses of "Tame the Tiger" and the "shimmy, shimmy ko ko bop" quote of the anthemic "Freedom Park," this album's "Born to Run." It's a sprawling, throbbing, assertive work that shows Marah to be masters of the studio and visionaries on a grand scale. ~ Hal Horowitz

Product Details

Release Date:	05/12/2023
Label:	Blingnot2 / Valley Farm Songs
UPC:	0760137127703
Rank:	82401

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Marah   Primary Artist
Franz Hueber   Vocals
Lou Fuiano   Sax (Baritone)
Mike Brenner   Lap Steel Guitar
Robert Ambs   Flute
David Bielanko   Guitar (Bass),Various Instruments,Bass,Banjo,Guitar,Vocals
Mike Ambs   Drums
Serge Bielanko   Guitar,Vocals,Harmonica,Vocals (Background)
Matt Cappy   Trumpet
Jon Wurster   Drums
Jamie Mahon   Bass
Mike Hood   Trombone
Tony Gairo   Sax (Alto)
Mark Boyce   Organ,Piano,Clavinet
Nancy Falkow   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Serge Bielanko   Mixing,Composer,Engineer
Eddy Schreyer   Mastering
Michael Block   Technician,Production Assistant
Tim Hatfield   Engineer
David Bielanko   Mixing,Composer,Engineer
Tommy Joyner   Technician,Production Assistant
Nick Hornby   A&R
Paul Dickman   Executive Producer
Lowlita   Group Member