Is It Matthew Houck's Time?

[mp3] Phosphorescent: "It's Hard to be Humble (When You're From Alabama)

There are often signifiers that come along with great records. Sometimes it's the current market climate, the artist's career to date, collaborations, producers, a certain "phase" that an artist is going through. Right now, everything seems to be pointing in the direction that Phosphorescent's new album Here's To Taking It Easy (May 11, Dead Oceans), is going to be Matthew Houck's full-on arrival as one of the elite artists on the indie rock scene; to be mentioned in the same breath as an Andrew Bird, M.Ward or Justin Vernon. Of course, that's the way it seems.

After his surprising, and surprisingly great Willie Nelson covers record To Willie, Here's To Taking It Easy represents the first full album of new Phosphorescent material since the haunting and ethereal Pride. The press release references albums such as Street Legal and On The Beach to describe the new Houck material. Material that finds Houck supported by musicians galvanized by the music coming out of LA during the fruitful years surrounding 1975, when East Coast folk-rock icons like The Band, Joni Mitchell, Clapton and the aforementioned Dylan and Young abandoned the freezing climes of New York, for the sun and drugs of California.

If Here's To Taking it Easy comes close to the magic captured on those classic records from the 70s then this album could truly be Houck's grand coming out party. Yet, even if the album doesn't contain a "New Pony" or "Revolution Blues," it's sure to satisfy, as Houck is a true songwriter and artist. He has that great album in him. It remains to be seen if this Here's To Taking It Easy is it, but we're hoping.

New Phosphorescent LP - "To Willie"

Phosphorescent - "A Picture of Our Torn Up Praise" (from Pride) - mp3

Phosphorescent (a.k.a Matthew Houck) follows up their/his widely acclaimed (and excellent) LP, Pride with a Willie Nelson tribute record entitled, To Willie, released Feb. 3 on Dead Oceans. We here at Stark loved Pride; it was dark and haunting, yet somehow uplifting and gorgeous. At Brooklyn Vegan's CMJ party, we caught a great set from Houck, during which he played a few cuts from his upcoming tribute to Nelson.

More, plus track listing and cover art after the jump...

While stripping away some of the mystery and reverb from his voice, we found Houck no less captivating and equally as impressive as on previous efforts. The tunes we heard were accessible and tinged with a greater sense of Americana (they are Willie songs after all). Yet, Houck's arrangements gave the songs a unique sound and kept them away from the straight-shooting, middle-of-the-road country (or alt-country) that can bog down a record. To Willie is, of course, modeled after the classic Nelson record To Lefty from Willie - even the cover art is the same. Here's to hoping the results are as amazing as that seminal album, although I hate to say, I doubt it. We still love you though Phosphorescent.



Track List:
Reasons To Quit
Too Sick To Pray
Walkin'
It's Not Supposed To Be That Way
Pick Up The Tempo
I Gotta Get Drunk
Can I Sleep In Your Arms
Heartaches Of A Fool
Permanently Lonely
The Last Thing I Needed (First Thing This Morning)
The Party's Over