Earlier this year, Dan Mangan released Roboteering EP, which previewed of material from his latest album. These new songs, and especially the single “Robots,” were a massive leap forward for the Vancouver singer-songwriter: the lyrics were catchy (”Robots need love too”), the melodies were hummable, and arrangements were beefed up with keys, banjos, group vocals and even a triumphant horn section.
mp3: “Robots”
On the full-length album—Nice, Nice, Very Nice, which comes out this week—most of the first half is similarly ornate. Opener “Road Regrets” describes the pitfalls of life on the road, its densely layered acoustic guitars accompanied by chiming electric leads and thundering drum rolls. “Fair Vernona” is even grander, beginning with a hypnotic drum-and-bass groove and backedmasked guitars before swelling to a glorious climax of rising horns and sweeping strings.
The second half of the album is less flashy, mainly comprised of sparse ballads that emphasize Dan’s nimble fingerpicking and gruff, soothing voice. These songs are no less memorable than the high-production numbers, evoking the intimacy of Dan’s one-man live shows. “Basket” is a stunning ballad about growing old—a well covered topic, but the spine-tingling strings and Dan’s ragged growl make it sound like a revelation. “Won’t you take my cane and hold my hand / You’re holding onto all I have / Just a basket full of memories,” he sings during the song’s heart-stopping climax. It’s a staggering moment, one which ought to give a further boost to Dan’s already expanding fanbase.
Nice, Nice, Very Nice is out now via File Under: Music.
mp3: “Robots”
On the full-length album—Nice, Nice, Very Nice, which comes out this week—most of the first half is similarly ornate. Opener “Road Regrets” describes the pitfalls of life on the road, its densely layered acoustic guitars accompanied by chiming electric leads and thundering drum rolls. “Fair Vernona” is even grander, beginning with a hypnotic drum-and-bass groove and backedmasked guitars before swelling to a glorious climax of rising horns and sweeping strings.
The second half of the album is less flashy, mainly comprised of sparse ballads that emphasize Dan’s nimble fingerpicking and gruff, soothing voice. These songs are no less memorable than the high-production numbers, evoking the intimacy of Dan’s one-man live shows. “Basket” is a stunning ballad about growing old—a well covered topic, but the spine-tingling strings and Dan’s ragged growl make it sound like a revelation. “Won’t you take my cane and hold my hand / You’re holding onto all I have / Just a basket full of memories,” he sings during the song’s heart-stopping climax. It’s a staggering moment, one which ought to give a further boost to Dan’s already expanding fanbase.
Nice, Nice, Very Nice is out now via File Under: Music.
