# 1. Phosphorescent - Here's To Taking It Easy
(Dead Oceans, May 11th 2010)
Last year Matthew Houck paid his respects to Willie Nelson. This year Willie Nelson ought to pay his respects to Matthew Houck. Here's To Taking It Easy is the stuff that creates legends. Houck has made four albums under the Phosphorescent-moniker, this being the fourth and also being the first that Phosphorescent has been a real band. God damn, what a band it is. Steeped in classic outlaw-country, Gram Parsons west coast countryrock and seventies Neil Young, Here's To Taking It Easy is a record that will stand the test of time and only get better and better as the years go by.
Easily the album I have played the most this year. Easily the album that gives me those legendary goosebumps. Easily the album that brings tears to my eyes. Easily the best album of 2010.
"It's Hard to Be Humble (When You're From Alabama)" with all it's Stonsy swagger and Memphis horns. The heartbreakingly beautiful "Mermaid Avenue". The On The Beach-y album closer "Los Angeles". I'm in love with this album, and I think I might be a little bit in love with Matthew Houck as well. The way his voice cracks as he utters the words "God damn it Amanda, God damn it all" is bar none the best musical moment in 2010. It's so honest and pure.
It doesn't hurt that the gig the band did in Oslo this autumn was one of the best of the year either.
This is the stuff that dreams and legends are made of. Every song is a classic and every song already sounds like it's been around since the seventies. In my book it doesn't get any better than that.
Phosphorescent - Los Angeles
(Dead Oceans, May 11th 2010)
Last year Matthew Houck paid his respects to Willie Nelson. This year Willie Nelson ought to pay his respects to Matthew Houck. Here's To Taking It Easy is the stuff that creates legends. Houck has made four albums under the Phosphorescent-moniker, this being the fourth and also being the first that Phosphorescent has been a real band. God damn, what a band it is. Steeped in classic outlaw-country, Gram Parsons west coast countryrock and seventies Neil Young, Here's To Taking It Easy is a record that will stand the test of time and only get better and better as the years go by.
Easily the album I have played the most this year. Easily the album that gives me those legendary goosebumps. Easily the album that brings tears to my eyes. Easily the best album of 2010.
"It's Hard to Be Humble (When You're From Alabama)" with all it's Stonsy swagger and Memphis horns. The heartbreakingly beautiful "Mermaid Avenue". The On The Beach-y album closer "Los Angeles". I'm in love with this album, and I think I might be a little bit in love with Matthew Houck as well. The way his voice cracks as he utters the words "God damn it Amanda, God damn it all" is bar none the best musical moment in 2010. It's so honest and pure.
It doesn't hurt that the gig the band did in Oslo this autumn was one of the best of the year either.
This is the stuff that dreams and legends are made of. Every song is a classic and every song already sounds like it's been around since the seventies. In my book it doesn't get any better than that.
Phosphorescent - Los Angeles
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