User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Miracle Temple Image
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
tbd

No user score yet- Awaiting 1 more rating

  • Artist(s): Jenks Miller, Casey Toll, H.C. McEntire
  • Summary: The second release for the North Carolina band formed by Heather McEntire and Jenks Miller was co-produced by Miller, McEntire, and Mark Nevers.
Buy Now
Buy on
  • Record Label: Merge
  • Genre(s): Alt-Country, Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Singer/Songwriter, American Underground
  • More Details and Credits »
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 17
  2. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Feb 27, 2013
    81
    Mount Moriah has certainly found more confidence in their identity, and Miracle Temple will be what defines them moving forward.
  2. Mar 1, 2013
    80
    It’s a brilliant new sound from a new band that’s just getting started.
  3. Proper, stop-you-in-your-tracks talent with the occasional song to match.
  4. Feb 27, 2013
    70
    For an album whose most apparent traits are simplicity and broadness, Miracle Temple's best moments are pretty idiosyncratic.
  5. Under The Radar
    Mar 22, 2013
    70
    It's a pleasure that continues revealing itself upon subsequent listens. [Mar-Apr 2013, p.90]
  6. Feb 27, 2013
    68
    There’s an impressive amount of sound and instrumentation for a trio. The consequence is that McEntire doesn’t stand out quite as well as last time, and can easily get lost in the tight, economical work from her bandmates.
  7. Feb 27, 2013
    60
    Miracle Temple is still a wonderfully warm and welcoming record, but it never soars.

See all 17 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 1
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 1
  3. Negative: 0 out of 1
  1. Feb 26, 2013
    10
    There really isn't a bad song in the bunch here. The band effortlessly straddles the line between straightforward alt-country, the rockierThere really isn't a bad song in the bunch here. The band effortlessly straddles the line between straightforward alt-country, the rockier sensibilities of its members' other projects, and the Muscle Shoals-style r&b that seems to be particularly en vogue right now. McEntire's vocals and judiciously employed keyboard/organ and strings really set Mount Moriah apart from their peers. I've seen a few reviews mention that the vocals sound like a young Dolly Parton, and I think that's pretty spot on. Particular highlights include "Younger Days," "Bright Light," "I Built a Town," and "Swannanoa," the track that best showcases the band's versatility as it builds from a slow burning, countrified dirge into an cathartic centerpiece full of swirling guitar, drums, strings, and keyboard. Long story short, there are a lot of bands that are active right now and sound vaguely like this. Along with a few other acts, Mount Moriah represents the cream of the crop. Collapse