Kids in Philly [LP/CD]

Marah: Dave Bielanko, Serge Bielanko, Ronnie Vance, Danny Metz (vocals, various instruments).
Additional personnel includes: Paul Smith (vocals, guitar, keyboards, vibraphone, chimes); Hy Lit (vocals); Mike Brenner (lap-steel guitar, vibraphone, samples); Jeff Clarke (bagpipes); Matt Cappy (trumpet); Sal Spera (percussion).
Recorded at Frank's Auto, South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
On KIDS IN PHILLY, Philadelphia's Marah swings for the fences, taking the first of what would be several full-hearted if ultimately unsuccessful cracks at a crossover statement of purpose along the lines of Springsteen's THE WILD, THE INNOCENT & THE E STREET SHUFFLE. The group's shambolic bar band pathos is ideally suited to the rough sketches of Philadelphia street life that permeate the album, however. If the results fall somewhat short of the group's ambitions--Marah sounds like it's trying to conjure "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" throughout)--it's not for lack of effort.