The quartet recorded two albums together: Let's Cut the Crap & Hook Up Later On Tonight, released on Black Dog Records in 1998, and Kids in Philly, released on Steve Earle's now-defunct E-Squared Records in 2000. Both critically acclaimed CD's were recorded and produced by the band and recording engineer Paul Smith above an auto repair garage in south Philadelphia.
Metz and Vance left the band in 2000, and were replaced by Mick Bader on drums and Joe Hooven on bass. Augmented by Mike "Slo-Mo" Brenner on lap steel, this version of the group toured extensively to support Kids in Philly. Marah performed the song, "Point Breeze" from Kids in Philly on The Late Show with Conan O'Brien in 2000. Bader and Hooven left Marah in 2001 and were replaced by Jon Kois (drums) and Jamie Mahon (bass) of Philadelphia psychedelic rock band The Three For Tens.
The Bielankos, with Kois and Mahon, left for Wales in late 2001 to record their third CD, Float Away with the Friday Night Gods with former Oasis producer Owen Morris. It was released on Artemis Records in 2002.
In 2003, Marah returned to the auto garage and recorded their fourth record, 20,000 Streets Under the Sky. The CD was released on Yep Rock records in 2004. The band toured this album with John Wurster (of Indie Rock-stalwarts Superchunk) on drums, Mike Brenner on lap steel, and Kirk Henderson on bass and keyboards.
In 2005, the band entered The Magic Shop recording studio in New York City to record their fifth album with the help of Henderson and two new members, Adam Garbinski and Dave Peterson. The result, If You Didn't Laugh, You'd Cry (IYDLYC), was hailed by critics as a return to form for the band.
The release of IYDLYC was complemented by the recording and release of a Christmas album, A Christmas Kind of Town, on October 18, 2005. The band, solidified as a three-guitar quintet, embarked on a year-long tour of the US and Europe to support the two albums. Highlights of the tour included Serge Bielanko's intense renditions of "Dishwasher's Dream" off of IYDLYC, as well as occasional performances of "Reservation Girl," an original song that has never been officially released by the band.
Dave Bielanko, Serge Bielanko, and Adam Garbinski at ACL 2006.The band played at the Bonnaroo Music Festival on June 16, 2006, which was highlighted by a rousing introduction by St. Louis scenester/character Beatle Bob and a cover of The Who's "Baba O'Riley." Marah later played the Austin City Limits Music Festival on September 15th, 2006, featuring a spirited performance from the band with Dave and Serge Bielanko jumping over the crowd barriers into the audience. The audio of this performance was released on iTunes on November 7th, 2006.
On September 21, 2006, the band's website announced the release of a live DVD of the IYDLYC tour, entitled Sooner or Later in Spain. The DVD, which was originally recorded and released as a fan bootleg, was released on November 17th, 2006.
Marah, with Christine Smith now a full time member, entered Nashville's 16 Ton Recording Studios in August 2006 to record songs for a new record. In April 2007, the group recorded and mixed additional songs at Brooklyn, New York's Excello Recording. In June, Marah announced that the new record, Angels of Destruction, would be released on January 8, 2008 and previewed the album at a concert/listening party in Philadelphia on September 8th, 2007. Angels of Destruction was preceded by a 6-song 10" EP entitled Can't Take It With You which was released in October 2007. A Christmas EP called Counting the Days was released in November 2007.
The new album was released in early January 2008 to widespread acclaim. Almost immediately afterwards, however, plans for an extensive US tour were cancelled following the departure of Garbinski, Peterson, and Henderson. A statement from Dave Bielenko stated that the current line-up could not agree on tour plans, and that to acquiesce to rhythm section would have represented a "musical regression." Bassist Johnny Pisano and drummer Joe Gorelick were hired as replacements, and in late February the band embarked on a European tour to promote the album.
In August 2008, Dave Bielanko, Smith and Pisano started recording new material at 16 Ton Studios in Nashville. Bielanko has stated his intentions of recording "a lilting beautiful folky record of acoustic guitars, tack pianos, and the stand-up bass".
The Closer
Marah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm all over the place
Trying to walk like nothing's happening
Lonesome goats like me
We got more balance than cheese on an onion ring
Beer can stumblin' down the street with clam shell eyes
Broke heart mumbling to the street down Berry Street and then
Bar-B-Q chips like me
We're a hot spot of jelly inside your Krispy Kreme
Broke heart mumbling
Tellin' ole God he's a honey baked ham
Here comes a feeling
And there it goes
Everybody knows that I'm light on my toes
Them Northside Angels are the sweetest thing you'll ever see
(Says me!)
Here comes a lady
And there she goes
Everybody knows where the wild wind blows
I put a Mississippi pickle in your Brooklyn buns for free
(That's me!)
Beer can stumblin' in the wind down Metropolitan
I got a frozen toe
Walking home like nothing's happening
Country moons like me
We got more fun than a flash fried chicken wing
Beer can stumblin' with a song in my heart through the coconut snow
The song "The Closer" by Marah is a reflection on a drunken walk home. The lyrics paint the picture of a person stumbling down the street with a beer can, trying to act like nothing is happening despite having a broke heart. The singer laments about their lonely state, comparing themselves to "lonesome goats" who have more balance than cheese on an onion ring. As they continue their walk, they encounter a feeling that comes and goes, and they acknowledge that everyone knows they are light on their toes.
The song also introduces the concept of "Northside Angels" who are the sweetest thing you'll ever see. It is unclear who or what these angels are, but they seem to provide some comfort to our wandering protagonist. As the song progresses, the lyrics take a more playful turn with the introduction of a lady and a mention of a Mississippi pickle in Brooklyn buns for free. The song ends with the singer once again stumbling with their beer can but with a song in their heart, navigating through the coconut snow.
Overall, "The Closer" seems to be a commentary on how we often try to put on a brave face and act like everything is okay while we are going through difficult times. The song acknowledges the loneliness and sadness that the singer feels but also introduces moments of joy and playfulness.
Line by Line Meaning
Beer can stumblin' in the wind down Metropolitan
I am walking unsteadily with a beer can in my hand on Metropolitan street.
I'm all over the place
I am feeling lost and confused.
Trying to walk like nothing's happening
I am trying to hide my emotions and appear calm.
Lonesome goats like me
I feel lonely and isolated like a goat wandering in a field.
We got more balance than cheese on an onion ring
Despite feeling unsteady, we have more balance and control than a cheese on an onion ring.
Beer can stumblin' down the street with clam shell eyes
I am stumbling down the street with eyes that are tired and droopy like clam shells.
Broke heart mumbling to the street down Berry Street and then
I am walking down Berry Street muttering to myself with a broken heart.
I walk a crooked line tryin' to act like nothing's happening
I am trying to appear as if everything is fine, but I am struggling to stay on track.
Bar-B-Q chips like me
I am emotionally fragile like a bag of Bar-B-Q chips that can easily break.
We're a hot spot of jelly inside your Krispy Kreme
Despite our fragile state, we have a sweet spot of resilience that makes us strong like the jelly inside a Krispy Kreme donut.
Broke heart mumbling
I am talking to myself about my broken heart.
Tellin' ole God he's a honey baked ham
I am lamenting to God and expressing my confusion and frustration.
Here comes a feeling
I am about to experience a strong emotion.
And there it goes
The feeling has dissipated and passed quickly.
Everybody knows that I'm light on my toes
People around me know that I have a carefree and easygoing nature.
Them Northside Angels are the sweetest thing you'll ever see
The kind and loving Northside Angels are a delight to witness.
(Says me!)
I am expressing my personal opinion.
Here comes a lady
A woman is approaching me.
And there she goes
The woman has passed by quickly and is leaving.
Everybody knows where the wild wind blows
It is well-known that the wild wind can take people in unexpected directions.
I put a Mississippi pickle in your Brooklyn buns for free
I am expressing my desire to add a unique and delightful flavor like a Mississippi pickle to the typical Brooklyn buns.
(That's me!)
I am being playful and proud of my identity and creativity.
I got a frozen toe
My toe is uncomfortably cold.
Walking home like nothing's happening
I am trying to act normal despite feeling physical discomfort.
Country moons like me
I feel at home in the countryside and am comfortable being alone like the moon in the sky.
We got more fun than a flash fried chicken wing
Despite feeling lonely, we can still have fun and enjoy life like a tasty chicken wing.
Beer can stumblin' with a song in my heart through the coconut snow
I am stumbling with a sense of joy and a song in my heart despite the cold and snowy weather.
Contributed by Aubrey E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.