There has been a trend as of late in the indie music community. Suddenly, the glacial-electro sounds of the 80s are coming back in style. Some artists are adept at combining the dated sound with new creative vigor, to come up with something compelling. Other artists are aurally fixated on re-creating something that the past has already bettered. Thankfully, Miracle Fortress is in the former camp, and the album Was I The Wave? not only surpasses the influences at it's core, but adds a healthy dose of artistic experimentation to bring us one of the best indie-pop releases in the last 5 years.
Graham Van Pelt is the mastermind behind the Miracle Fortress sound, handling all the instrumental, vocal, and production duties himself. That fact alone makes this record quite an accomplishment, but what cements the album's impact is it's attention to minute detail as well as it's economy. In only 10 tracks, Van Pelt is able to flex his indie-electronica muscle within the brevity of these fantastically realized songs. Not only is he able to hit upon brooding introspective ruminations, but he also makes sure to not skimp on the shining glittering pop-bliss moments you might not expect. It's his ability to use Miracle Fortress as a vehicle to convey his true love for the genre that makes Was I The Wave? such a compellingly honest listen. You might try to fight off the hooks and sparkling production at first, but the record is just too damn good to brush off. After only a couple plays, the songs really sink into your skin; whether you like it or not.
There's a reverb soaked iciness that pervades much of the record, which makes it initially a slightly challenging record to warm up to. Mainly because the distant-sounding vocals and up-front synths create an atmosphere of cold disconnection that I think is entirely intentional. But it's not long before the record shows bright and sparkly signs of thaw. After the compellingly insistent "Tracers" leaves you mysteriously intrigued with it's punchy beat, wobbling bassline, and haunting melody, there's a short instrumental interlude before "Spectre" comes along. The 5th track on Was I The Wave? connects the dots between haunting mysterious darkness and shimmering melodic tension. "Spectre" starts off with a misleading intro that drops into a beautiful verse that has the ability to literally melt your heart. As the sequencing of the album comes into play, it seems the first few tracks exist to build the icy atmosphere, only to intentionally melt it with this stunning and uplifting track.
That balance and continuity is what makes Was I The Wave? such a consistently enjoyable album. Just as Van Pelt seems to be showing signs of disconnect, the album takes a turn for the bright and melodic. Just as the hooky sparkle might seem to be reaching generic pop territory, Van Pelt introduces tight instrumental flair, or changes the direction with an instrumental dirge or a song with a darker vibe. The album continuously jumps back and forth between mysterious and emotionally-direct, both sides of the record being presented with genuinely skillful songcraft and an abundance of modern flair to offset the obviously 80s-inspired aesthetic.
By the time the 10th track "Until" rolls around, with it's minimalistic guitar arpeggios not bolstered by vocals or other instruments, it becomes clear that Miracle Fortress has created a masterpiece of mood and atmosphere. Based on the simplicity and brevity of that track, you will be compelled to start the album over again just to re-live the majestic sweep and impeccable songs, and upon second listen the genius of the album is only ever more apparent.
Rarely does an album with this much in common with the new-wave invasion not only surpass it's influences, but also manage to avoid becoming some kind of nostalgia-trip throwback curiosity. Miracle Fortress is the real deal, and Was I The Wave? is every bit as engaging and compelling as anything creeping out of the Canadian underground this year. Or any other.
Miscalculations (Track 8)
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