Phosphorescent at Heaven

Matthew Houck’s latest record under the moniker of Phosphorescent came in the hazy-lazy form of ‘Here’s to Taking It Easy’. Although now living in New York City, Houck’s hometown of Alabama clearly runs through the veins of this dusty country-rock installment. It’s not quite an ode to his roots, more of a notification of recognition, indicating that you can take the boy out the South but you sure as hell can’t take the South out the boy.

Standing atop of the towering Heaven stage, Houck and his band looks as southern as ever. Lank hair drapes over faces, sleeveless Megadeath t-shirts sit upon inked frames and each member looks like they’ve inhaled something potent prior to entry. To remain compelling while in such circumstances has claimed many a-worthy individual, but those guys weren’t southerners…

Third song in, ‘Nothing Was Stolen’, and Houck’s subtle Will Oldham vocals swoosh upon country-licks that sound like subtle Steve Earle winks, while the lonesome lyricism on ‘The Mermaid Parade’ pushes Phosphorescent away from the new folk-rock borders of Deer Tick and The Cave Singers and further into the heartbreak of Neil Young circa ‘On The Beach’.

With certain beatific ditties, such as ‘Wolves’ and ‘Hej, Me I’m Light’, which Houck goes onto play solo for the first part of his encore, we get to see a side of a singer who grew up on the bedrock of Nelson, Van Zandt and Prine. There’s a barren and solitary stance to these songs that were made for deserted reflection, true broken-hearted americana built upon sadness played on abandoned stages with forgotten words: It’s the bread and butter of country. But despite the clarity of Houck’s voice when he sighs ‘staring with blood in their mouths’, Phosphorescent truly blossom when hoisting up the noise as a unified band.

Between ‘It’s Hard To Be Humble (When You’re From Alabama)’ and ‘I Don’t Care If There’s Cursing’, Houck and Co force the volume upwards, forgoing the sunny guitars and reflective optimism for shoulder-shaking, instrumental body-bashing. Pianos crash like Jerry Lee, solos rage like Robbie Robertson; the music dives into ass-kicking, booze-dripping rock ‘n’ soul just like that.

While New Yorkers may be hindered by that derogative stereotype that depicts them as rude, obnoxious, arrogant wise-guys with a disdain for manners, Phosphorescent are anything but. They’re from the Alabama, and judging by tonight’s show, that’s where their heart will always lie.

Check out the expansive Young-like epic below...

Phosphorescent - Los Angeles by handsomemusic

Published on Spoonfed.co.uk 8th June 2011