Dan Mangan + Blacksmith: Club Meds

He began his career as a clear-cut singer-songwriter, but the last few years have seen Dan Mangan evolve. For the Canadian’s fourth release, the biggest change was incorporating his backing band, Blacksmith, into both his sound and onto the record sleeve.

Atmosphere is key on the glitchy, moody Offred and Mouthpiece. The shady pop experimentalism of Vessel nods to Peter Gabriel, while the morose spirit of A Doll's House/Pavlovia evokes Radiohead.

Sadly, the second half of the album lets things down. His headstrong willingness to experiment tends to render the songs leaden, and Pretty Good Joke sounds self-indulgent and plain dull. The result is a mixed affair, though still one worth listening to.

[ danmanganmusic.com ]