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It's hard to believe that Matthew Houck–the one-man band otherwise known as Phosphorescent–is based in New York. Upon hearing his latest dose of lazy, hazy Americana, the fact that he was born in Alabama comes as no shock. The wide open heartland of the South rings out throughout these nine tracks, but the taut urban tussle of New York? Sonically it doesn't even get a look in, despite the fact that in tracks like The Mermaid Parade–about Coney Island's yearly procession of aquatic freaks–it holds its own in the lyrics.
It's not that Here's to Taking It Easy is a rural sounding record, as there's definitely an urban edge present in its alt-country lunges, but that city is Los Angeles, and–to be more specific–the LA of the late 1960s and 1970s. In a post-Fleet Foxes world, it seems that acts taking their inspiration from the verdant nooks and crannies of Laurel Canyon are everywhere: from Local Natives and The Low Anthem to Mountain Man and First Aid Kit. But Phosphorescent's contribution to the new-folk cannon is an impressive and rather lovely addition.
Opening with It's Hard to Be Humble (When You're From Alabama), the scene is set through its perky, Magic Numbers-style bounce. "You can hear me Alabama / I can hear you when you're calling my name," chirrups Houck against Muscle Shoals horns, sounding if not a million miles away from the self-consciously hip sound of Brooklyn, then at least a thousand, which is roughly the distance from New York City back to the state of his birth. With its flamenco guitar breaks and gentle campfire coo, We'll Be Here Soon ventures further into modern American mythology, with Houck morphing into a wandering, balladering cowboy packing a hipflask full of longing; which is something you don't really expect to see on the L train to Williamsburg. Hej, Me I'm Light proves there's more strings to Houck's bow than just exquisitely crafted folk-pop songs and whispers of Neil Young, whose Unknown Legend refrain hangs through the back of Tell Me Baby. A four-and-a-half minute experiment in semi-transcendental chanting, Hej... is a song that goes nowhere and everywhere all at once.
There's a certain irony in the album's closing track. Entitled Los Angeles, you'd expect extra added sunshine and beers in the Hollywood Hills riffing, but it is instead one of the glummest tracks on the album. Even so, Phosphorescent positively glows. --Leonie Cooper
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22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Phosphorescent - Checked shirts and slide guitars,
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This review is from: Here's To Taking It Easy (Audio CD)
Phosphorescent's Matthew Houck is probably one of those American writers and singers who knows that in ten years time a coterie of very hip young bands will record a huge tribute to his songs, it will knock up mildly respectable sales, although nothing special and those "in the know" will name check him as an influence. Last year Houck did something very similar by recording a very strong album of Willie Nelson covers which didn't go overboard on the usual song suspects but was a joy to behold.
Thus we have the latest release from Phosphorescent aptly titled "Here's to taking it easy" a warm slice of road weary Americana with the emphasis on country (slides guitars are everywhere) rather than rock and with a couple of classic dark songs thrown in for good measure. The highlights come in the form of the bright brassy opener "Its hard to be humble when your from Alabama" where Houck opens with the well worn country observation that "Baby, all these cities, ain't they all startin' to look all the same"?. Things get darker on two outstanding alternative country ballads the first "Tell me baby have you had enough" a love song in the form of an apology with a nice guitar solo that which will not leave a dry eye in the house . "The Mermaid Parade" is one of the the albums true highlights and is another classic cracked heart ballad where Houck narrates a failed trip to the airport and wandering around Coney Island reflecting on a broken marriage and its consequences. With luck a Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard or even Ryan Adams (when he stops mopping around the place) will pick it up and turn it into a huge country hit. Finally mention should go to the gently amusing "I don't care if there's cursing" a rolling slide guitar driven song, and to one of the best songs of 2010 the eight minute plus "Neil Young like" gritty guitar driven epic "Los Angeles" providing a truly stellar finish to a excellent and solid country album. Granted no new ground is broken here and if you don't like country stay clear, but like fellow artist Jason Molina, the songs of Matthew Houck are vulnerable and so tender and all his albums repay your investment. Phosphorescence is a process in which energy absorbed by a substance is released relatively slowly in the form of light, it is the perfect description of this slow burning classic.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Defintely Americana,
By
This review is from: Here's To Taking It Easy (Audio CD)
I am a new convert to Phosphorescent and have found it a welcome awakening. I genuinely love this album but feel it may be seen as a departure from what has gone before but if that is the case it is not a bad one. As the other reviewer has said this is a country/alt/americana album with steel guitar and slide prevalant throughout. I can see all the comparisons with Neil Young etc but also see touches of Okkervil River especially in the story telling theme that seems to run through the album, and a bit of Son Volt too. There is one track that has just one line which is used as a rythmic chant to enhance the music build up and instrumental over lays - 'Hey I'm light', this has been done by many but notably the Duke and the King on thier debut album and it really does work.
I dont think there is a bad track on this beautifullly balanced work but agree stand out tracks are 'Mermaid Parade' and the quite frankly too short 'Los Angelas', as the 8 minutes or so just flow by still leaving you wanting more. Mathew Houch seems to have a knack for knowing when less is more and when a song can be lifted by the addition of a harmonica or extra guitar layer or even a horn- it is just luscious. I actually highly recommend it and probably should have given 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good stuff,
By
This review is from: Here's To Taking It Easy (Audio CD)
I saw these guys at the end of the road festival recently and liked the cut of their jib - 'here's to taking it easy', now that's a concept i can get on board with. It's an enjoyable album, I found the vocals reminded me a bit of Bonnie Prince Billie which is good. I'd recommend to anyone who is interested in this genre of music.
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