Dan Mangan’s production values seem to have increased with his popularity, not just in quality but in scope. Oh Fortune has an epic feel to it that was lacking in Mangan’s previous efforts, the intimate debut Postcards & Daydreaming, and the understated, Polaris-nominated Nice, Nice, Very Nice. From the sweeping strings on the album’s opening track, ‘About As Helpful As You Can Be Without Being Any Help At All’ to the staccato bursts of acoustic guitar on the rousing foot-thumper ‘Post-War Blues,’ everything on Oh Fortune feels a whole lot bigger.

The distorted drums on ‘How Darwinian,’ the melancholy whistling on ‘If I Am Dead,’ and the distant echo of the vocals on ‘Leaves, Trees, Forest’ show a progression in Mangan’s capabilities as a songwriter. The slightly processed crooning on ‘Daffodil’ gives the song a nostalgic feeling that prevents it from becoming just another sorrowful acoustic number. ‘Regarding Death And Dying’ could easily have become a Bon Iver rip off in lesser hands, but Mangan makes its heartfelt aimlessness unique. ‘Post-War Blues’ is easily Oh Fortune‘s best song, similar to the slow-build-then-bust-loose of ‘Robots’ on Nice, and a thematic spin-off of Postcard‘s ‘Unnatural Progression.’ Coming in a close second is another striking balance of quiet and loud, ‘Rows of Houses.’

Mangan’s voice is solid as always, soulful or aggressive depending on the song, and his lyrics have the same narrative style showcased on his earlier albums. There’s a grab bag of distinctive elements that blend together seamlessly on Oh Fortune, but if a complaint can be made, it’s that Mangan isn’t experimental enough. Not that every artist needs to make the leap between The Bends and OK Computer, but it would be nice to get a real sock-displacing, head-turning, musical exclamation point from Mangan. He’s capable of it. In the meantime we have to settle for simply being entertained and impressed by the considerable talent we’ve already grown accustomed to.

Kevin Hartford