Mount Moriah has certainly found more confidence in their identity, and Miracle Temple will be what defines them moving forward.
This album takes the understate melodies of its predecessor and pushes them into any and every logical musical path they could go down.
Rising out of various metal and post-punk bands, on their second album MM flash their heavy roots on ‘Miracle Temple Holiness’.
The album is nostalgic for people and times than can't be had again, no matter what magic you attempt.
Miracle Temple is a record of mood — and a downbeat mood at that. Mount Moriah exercise extreme restraint in their arrangements, with muted guitars, minor keys, and minimalistic rhythms.
It has a very definite audience, and will creep its way into the initiate's consciousness and secure a place alongside its peers without any trouble.
Miracle Temple might prove that there’s still tales from North Carolina to feed off of, even if some of them are particularly dark.
Even the occasional sleepy moment can’t obscure the album’s sincerity and heart, and Mount Moriah’s status as a band with substantial things to say.
Mount Moriah's debt to Dolly Parton is apparent from the get go. This is a good thing, as Dolly Parton is one of the best performers and songwriting voices in country music. This similarity especially helps "Younger Days" to stand out as a rapturously beautiful track, and the rest are nearly just as good. For fans of Americana and classic country, this is sure to be a favorite of the year. It's a solid album, through and through.
#51 | / | PopMatters |