Miracle Fortress is the brainchild of Graham Van Pelt, a Montreal-based multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, and Five Roses is their debut full length album, after an earlier, self-released EP from 2006 brought them to label Secret City Records’ attention.

It is, in a sense, unfortunate that this gorgeous album is just now being released, at the beginning of October, since it makes for a great summer soundtrack. With a series of dreamy multi-part harmonies, the most obvious parallel would perhaps be The Beach Boys. Particularly Beach Boys-esque are the sweet love song “Maybe Lately”, with its romantic lyrics such as “probably it’s permanent / I love you totally”, and a fluttery harp-like backing; and “Hold Your Secrets To Your Heart” which mines a similar harmonious vein. Other more recent comparisons could be drawn with modern day psychedelic synth-wielders like The Flaming Lips and perhaps Apples in Stereo.

It is not just the harmonising that makes this such a successful album. They’re also a band who are no strangers to producing effortlessly beautiful melodies, which – as I can ruefully attest – will nestle inside your mind for days after each listen. This could apply to pretty much every track, but in particular “Little Trees”, the aforementioned “Maybe Lately” and “This Thing About You”.

Lyrically, many of the songs cover romantic themes, such as “Maybe Lately”; “Next Train” – “I’ll be on the next train to you”; and “This Thing About You”, where they endearingly sing of the happiness found in walking around with the person you love on your arm “Everyone we see is making eyes at you and me / You see you’ve got this thing with walking / And me, I’ve got this thing about you”. The other predominant theme is more of a mood: a kind of non-specific wistfulness, as found on title track “Five Roses” and “Fortune”.

If there is fault to be found here (and there isn’t really) then it could perhaps be said that all these lush romantic harmonies and melodic gorgeousness can risk cloying a little after a while. That would be pretty churlish, however. If you are in the mood for grit and gloom then you’d be best to steer clear. If you want something summery with a romantic and wistful cheer, then look no further, this is definitely the album for you.
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Links
Miracle Fortress [official site] [myspace] [buy it]