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Matthew Houck is undeniably a musical genius. And, as Phosphorescent,
he makes music that transcends genre, reaching into seemingly disparate
places for sounds and aural textures. He has been hailed as the next
Neil Young or Bob Dylan, but I prefer to think of his
music outside of comparatives… Not that his songs don't have
that particular quality that creates timeless rock/folk music, but
he brings an edginess to the table that is rare to find. There was
a time when the songs of Bob Dylan made people a bit uncomfortable
if they were paying attention, and Neil Young penned such classics
as "Cortez The Killer"… In that manner, Houck is carrying
on a time-honored tradition.
Built on the solid foundations of last year's The Weight Of Flight
EP, Aw Come Aw Wry is a musical conglomeration of brash
horns, rollicking hoedown rhythms, gospel choirs, all underscored
by the slightly askew voice of Houck. His voice retains its edgy harshness,
but has become very listenable, much in the same way that the aforementioned
troubadours have found a place with their rough, off-key vocals. Matthew
Houck's ability to pen songs of intimate depth is uncanny, and he
showcases his gift mightily on these 12 tracks. But, amidst the darker
and deeper shades of the poetry lie lines with much mirth and vigor,
as in "I Am A Full Grown Man": "We can curl in the
water/ naked, swirling like otters/ you know how they are… I'm
a full grown man/ I'll be calm, calm, calm/ in the grass, in the grass,
in the grass/ in your arms".
Matthew Houck, as Phosphorescent, has released an album full of
the kind of songs that make independent music exactly what it should
be: quality musicality, brilliant lyricism, and a quirky frontman
to make the experience memorable. All too often we see low quality
indie artists who think they have much more potential than they
actually do, but the opposite is true of Houck. I think we can only
begin to understand the depths and brilliance that the man's soul
has to offer.
-L. Keane
Track Listing:
1. Not A Heel
2. Aw Come Aw Wry No.5
3. Joe Tex, These Taming Blues
4. Aw Come Aw Wry No.6
5. I Am A Full Grown Man (I Will Lay In The Grass All Day)
6. Dead Heart
7. Aw Come Aw Wry No.3
8. South (Of America)
9. Lost Name
10. Endless Part 1
11. Endless Part 2
12. Nowhere Road, Georgia, February 21, 2005
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