Michael Mangia

Country of origin:

U.S.

Type of music generally:

Alternative pop

Status:

Most recent release, the invisible wall, 2003

See also:

All Music's Michael Mangia page

Comparisons:

Tori Amos, Rufus Wainwright

Covers/own material:

Own

General comments:

Mangia's a superb singer and pianist and his songs are literate and emotive. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)

Recommended first album:

the invisible wall is the first we've heard

Recordings:

• Virgins (1999)
• Utopia (2000)
• the invisible wall (2003)

the invisible wall

Release info:

2003—Eat An Apple Publishing

Availability:

See website for availability

Ecto priority:

Recommended

Group members:

Michael Mangia—vocals, piano, synths, dolls

Guest artists:

Joel Martin—acoustic guitar, electric guitar
Jamie Danesh & Ed Maxwell—electric bass, stand-up bass
Jimmy Pascon—drums
Tim Pederson—drums on 1 track
Zac Rae—additional keyboards
Ed Roth—mellotron and key strings on 2 tracks

Produced by:

Michael Mangia

Comments:

Michael Mangia's music is highly pleasing to the ears. His songwriting seems mature and polished already. There are echoes of Tori Amos in his piano playing and quirky, pop-literate lyrics, and a sliver of Ben Folds in the voice.
     The amount of songs using Barbie to comment on society is staggering, but Mangia slips one more through with the moving "Barbie Doll". "Drunk" is genuinely beautiful and the progressive-flavoured "Someone Who" shows real daring. "No Sign of Life" might have been an Elton John song. "Wet Dream" is a remarkable song in waltz-time with words of sex and religion. "Judas Valentine" is very Tori-like in its clever and strange words and dramatic mood. Mangia's a real talent. (stjarnell@yahoo.com)

Thanks to Anna Maria Stjärnell for work on this entry.