REVIEW: Phosphorescent - Here's to Taking it Easy

Phosphorescent - Here's to Taking it Easy

MMMM

So how many of you out there picked up Phosphorescent's last effort, To Willie (Dead Oceans 2009)?

Quinn and I made it down to a small (but awesome club) called the G Spot awhile back and managed to catch Matthew Houck and crew headlining a show (with Deer Tick opening, a great combo). I walked out of the show with the vinyl copy of the Willie Nelson tribute. When we talk about these kind of tributes and re-workings, To Willie makes it up onto my list of greats with all the Townes Van Zandt and Kris Kristofferson covers that Norah Jones has done (especially with her bar band a few years back, The Little Willies). But I'm dating myself.

This latest effort, coming from someone who's not so familiar with the band except in the last few years, is really something to be admired. Here's to Taking it Easy has a little something for all of us indie rock and folk fans (I'm looking at you, reader who will never stop listening to "Forget the Flowers" and "Hesitating Beauty"). Something that spans the album is Houck's appreciation for choral-esque vocals and harmonies. His almost mournful melodies reach deep emotionally (see "Nothing Was Stolen (Love Me Foolishly)" ). There's just a sense of atmosphere that earns Phosphorescent their indie qualification, an echoing chorus of ringing electric and acoustic guitars, hanging and accenting Houck's voice.

And of course there's harmony for us vocal freaks. Nothing gets me like a haunting or creative grouping of voices, and Here's to Taking it Easy is a great example. I'm waiting for Allison Krauss* to appear on the next album. Whether it's a chorus on the opener "It's Hard to be Humble (When You're from Alabama)" or 3rds that are just so on the refrain in "The Mermaid Parade".

I like an album that fits together too. Sometimes we're out there just looking for the next song that we'll play over an over again, but here at MM you've definitely heard Quinn, Phil, and I talk about appreciating something that you just want to flip and keep spinning (literally AND figuratively). Here's to doesn't blow all of its effort on a few tracks. It's a mellow, quality, and well put together folk rock record, with good hooks, and the kind of feel-good flow that makes you want to hum along when you don't know the words.

Buy: straight from the label, here. Get the digital, as always from Amazon, here.

Phosphorescent is on tour, now. Like everywhere.

*Man, they'll let her play with anyone these days. I mean, who was that last idiot? Am I right, am I right? Burn.