A Human Connection. Small Miracles

In the past months Cardiff based Small Miracles found itself on this blog for the first time. It is time for the album. Overall, my first impression is that Small Miracles loves to look back at things that came before. The hints at 1980s doom and gloom is at the fore front of the music and Finn Fatale's way of singing emulates singers like Jaz Coleman. As if there's not a lot of fun to be found around him. Luckily, this is offset regularly by a female vocal that sounds more upbeat, providing the contrast I like in this context.

Small Miracles was formed in Cardiff in 2021 and identifies explicitly as a queer band. The band consists of  Finn Fatale, lead vocals, rhythm guitar, James Sarson bass, backing vocals, Lucas Eldridge drums, Jim Webster, keyboards, synths, wurlitzer, organ, mellotron, guitars, backing vocals, mixing and, S. Kenward, lead guitar, programming, backing vocals, mixing. Add eight different guests, (nearly?) all female and there were a lot of people involved in the recording process. Producer Andrew Sanders assisted with giving A Human Connection its darkish vibe.

The album opens with what is Small Miracles' most danceable track. The rhythm makes it impossible to stand still, while the postpunk of the lead guitar, bass and vocals makes it far from a disco track. But then listen to that piano solo, almost as rock and roll as these sort of piano solos come. 'Phantom' makes for very surprising listening with all the directions it shoots off in, while remaining consistent for the whole of the way.

With 'You Know' the band shows a little lighter side of itself. Again, the track makes for moving. I have no idea any more what is played on modern dance floors (and very likely do not want to know). In my days this track definitely would have worked in between songs like 'Burning Down The House' or 'Pale Shelter'. 'You Know' has a very upbeat rhythm.

Photo: Ellis Thomas

Punk is next. Single 'Bisexual Panic' is a song that shows exactly how the word panic can be translated into music. It is so erratic that it comes close to irritating, if it wasn't that good. With 'Layers Of Entanglement' the band shows a third side of itself. In this loud ballad the album enters a dreamy sequence where Fatale exerts himself through the song, because his voice does not really fit this genre, in my opinion. Enter Aisha Kigs, who injects the song with a shot of soul and R&B. Do not forget to listen to what is going on behind the singers. Lead guitarist S. Kenward is really going off the rails here and there. Michael Kiwanuka any one? I'm fine with that, as 'Layers Of Entanglement' simply makes that grade.

80ties synths sound at the beginning of 'Cherry Pills'. Tubeway Army meets Duran Duran with loud guitars. The dark truly returns here in the atmosphere of the song but the chorus is so upbeat aided by the angelic background vocals of Gemini Anderson. How the sound of a voice can make a difference?!

We are half way A Human Connection and I am about to leave you alone with the second half. If you like what you have heard so far, the rest will not disappoint you. Small Miracles has succeeded in recreating an era very successfully. Now it has to find its own voice some more.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can listen to and order A Human Connection here:

https://smallmiracles.bandcamp.com/album/a-human-connection