Monday, October 3, 2011

Milagres @ Mercury Lounge September 30th



Milagres is on tour supporting their second release, Glowing Mouth, a collection that finds an ethereal path away from their more earthbound, Cold Play inspired debut, Seven Summits.  Singer/songwriter Kyle Wilson wrote the songs while recovering from a serious climbing accident and their dreamy diversion provided a welcome addition to the band’s catalogue. They now deviate from standard rock format into a lush soundscape of layered percussion and vocals, making for a rewarding listen session whether live or otherwise.  The title track, “Glowing Mouth,” was picked as a KEXP Song of the Day recently and the entire album has been in WFUV’s “The Alternate Side” top twenty most played albums for weeks, so it was interesting to see this band take to the stage. 

On September 30, Milagres focused on this new release for a full crowd filing in early at The Mercury Lounge.  There was the requisite plaid and facial hair of any Brooklyn band, but Milagres has been around enough to know how to put on a solid show and all it entails, even quickly getting to the merch table to greet fans afterwards.  Beginning with the upbeat “Here to Stay” the group kicked into full gear, swirling music around Wilson playing guitar center stage: Steve Leventhal on drums, Fraser McCulloch on bass/vocals, Chris Brasee on keyboards and Eric Schwortz also on guitar/vocals.  Next up was the climbing chorus of “Gone,” building with intensity and volume to fill the space.  The poetic storytelling of “Gentle Beast” began with Wilson setting the scene.

Loved a girl when I was twelve.
From a book everything’s in
I tore wide ruled pages in pen
and I saved each note in an old box
so one day I could read them again.
But I’ll never feel the way that I felt.

Afterwards Wilson acknowledged the crowd saying, “You guys are awesome.  Thank you so much for being here.”  The band quickly continued, offering up “Lost in the Dark,” “Half way,” and “To Be Imagined” along with an older song, “Quiet Street.”  “Halfway” has also been receiving airplay, with its three-part harmonies repeating the longing in the chorus, I could be halfway from anyone.  With cheers of recognition during the introduction, the single “Glowing Mouth” brought the set to conclusion as Wilson’s falsetto reached new heights --calling out while still hovering above the band.  The measured studio version became a loosely shared journey, as the audience replied in encouragement. Milagres is continuing on tour through the end of October, dates here



Kyle Wilson works the merch table...
Paul chats with bass player Eric Schwortz
Taking time for a photo op!