I realize a overwhelming majority of these spotlights are on Canadian artists, and while this wasn’t intentional, it is welcomed. Canada is bursting at the seems with amazing talent. Recently, I’ve written about Montreal’s Our Book and the Authors, and Calgary’s Jordan Klassen. It’s about time to look at a fantastic artist closer to home. I’ve been meaning to write about this artist for awhile now.

Dan Mangan is a songwriter from Vancouver, and has just released a brand new full length album called Nice, Nice, Very Nice. Ironically, when you first hear his album you would think to yourself that indeed it is ‘nice’. It’s when you’re singing his songs in your head for the rest of the day and desperate to get home so you can play the album again when you would admit it’s ‘nice, nice, very nice’.

The new album is yet another typically awesome modern folk album which is becoming a trademark of Canadian independent music. Most of the songs of Nice, Nice, Very Nice hinge on the provoking, often amusing lyrics and delightfully raw voice of Mangan. Each song then adds a unique instrumental touch, including classic toe-tapping acoustic riffs, mellow piano pieces, and short, Andrew Bird-esqe strings. The result is a classy, tactful and mature effort from another young and emerging Canadian folk artist. Nice, Nice, Very Nice is just that, and more. It’s really, really nice. Check it out.

Similar to: Patrick Watson, Andrew Bird, Hayden

Download:
Dan Mangan - Road Regrets
Dan Mangan - Tina’s Glorious Comeback

Buy Nice, Nice, Very Nice at Dan’s website.

Dan Mangan on MySpace