MIRACLE FORTRESS plays the Phoenix June 9 with Junior Boys. See listing. Rating: NNNN
Critics are worrying that fans of Montreal’s Miracle Fortress, aka Graham Van Pelt, will be left cold by his sophomore album due to its minimalism, the steeliness of its synths and drum machine snaps and claps, and its melancholy air.
While it’s true that Was I The Wave? is no booming party-starter, it’s hard to deny its emotion and beauty. Van Pelt was apparently going through things during its making, including mourning the suicide of David Foster Wallace, and the profoundly introspective result reflects that. Three cheers for an artist guided by his feelings rather than his career plan.
It’s not like warmth doesn’t find its way through, especially during the second half. His light falsetto, which recalls Chad VanGaalen, is consistently pretty and soaring, and his pop melodies and vocal harmonies are nothing short of glorious. Even the synths give way to soft fingerpicked guitars on gorgeous final tune Until.
Top track: Miscalculations
