Music review – Dan Mangan: Oh Fortune

Dan Mangan
Oh Fortune
Arts & Crafts

Oh Fortune was wisely released in autumn. As the days become darker and colder, they reveal the unique beauty within, much like this record. Dan Mangan provides a 40-minute, quiet orchestral indie folk-rock album, perfect for a long walk outside or a comfortable drive. Haunting songs like “Daffodil” will make you want to pause by sitting on a bench. But at the same time, songs like “Post-war Blues” may give you a craving of aimlessly running. On second thought, it may be best not to drive. There are enough people that speed around Regina.

The first track, lengthily titled “About As Helpful As You Can Be Without Being Any Help At All”, starts the album off lively with what would sound like a retelling of a crazy dream. The final track, “Jeopardy”, was cleverly titled since every line of the lyrics is in the form of a question.

If you were fortunate enough to have seen Mangan while at the Regina Folk Festival, you’d know what I’m talking about. If you weren’t, Mangan is in Saskatoon on Nov. 2 at the Broadway Theatre. It’s in the middle of the week, but it’s worth it.

Leland Foley
Contributor