“Both feet together/Slowly progressing” sings Dan Mangan on the opening track of Oh Fortune. The line is both telling of the artist himself while, at the same time, being entirely false. Mangan may be “slowly progressing” with each successive album, but it’s only slow because he started so high in the first place.
Released in late September, Oh Fortune is the third full length album from the Canadian born heart breaker and is a worthy successor to 2009′s solid Nice, Nice, Very Nice. Like all of Mangan’s music the songs here are built off his gruff voice and strong lyrics that, paired together, make a dangerously good combination. Musically the album is similar to previous records while being slightly more expansive. Included are electric guitars that sound like something out of Fang Island’s repertoire (see “Post-War Blues”), feedback like electronic noises, and swooping strings of violins and cellos that are familiar to Mangan’s music. Inside the album are expansive moments as well as quieter, simpler, moments that contrast brilliantly against one another. One such example is the sudden change between the album’s third and fourth songs, “Post-War Blues” and “If I am Dead.” The former has a rich accompaniment of instruments and sounds that mounts to an impressive climax, ending with a single drum beat. The latter then picks up with nothing more than a voice and a guitar. The difference is exhilarating, keeping the listener both off kilter and enthralled. Continue reading
