Critics' Pick: Phosphorescent, Family Band

Matthew Houck's Phosphorescent is the kind of act whose albums receive 25 reviews from music publications on MetaCritic and nary a user rating.

Location Info

Map

The Loft

1135 S. Lamar St.
Dallas, TX 75215-1036

Category: Music Venues

Region: Oak Cliff & South Dallas

Photos

2 user reviews	Write A Review
Save to foursquare	0

Related Content

• Five Country Albums To Drink Beer With
  May 25, 2012
• A Folk Family Revival on Willie's Bus
  January 12, 2012
• Willie Nelson
  January 5, 2012
• Billy Joe Shaver, Naptime Shake
  November 10, 2011
• Bring On the Meatless Mondays
  December 28, 2011

More About

• Matthew Houck
• Willie Nelson
• Will Oldham
• Gram Parsons
• Pink Floyd

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Music Newsletter: Keep your thumb on the local music scene with music features, additional online music listings and show picks. We'll also send special ticket offers and music promotions available only to our Music Newsletter subscribers.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue

The talent's there. Houck's roots predilections draw inspiration from familiar touchstones such as The Band, Gram Parsons and Willie Nelson, to whom he dedicated his 2009 covers album, To Willie. Houck's aching country-folk and roots rock is sometimes tinged with a sunbaked folk-psych (think early Pink Floyd) that wavers behind Houck's reedy tenor. Its parched quaver is reminiscent of Will Oldham. His songs move at a laconic, ramshackle pace like that endemic to southern latitudes, often sounding obscured by road haze.

Phosphorescent came to most critics' attention with his '05 second album, Aw Come Aw Wry, whose dramatic downbeat tone suggested a more country Sparklehorse. The dreamy, textured sway of 2007's Pride made him a critical darling. It didn't hurt that at times it recalled Animal Collective's psychedelic experimentation. To Willie brought Houck back toward his country roots, and he maintained that trajectory with last year's Here's To Taking It Easy. Accompanied for the first time by a full band, it's a more lively effort. Houck's voice sounds stronger than ever, and the brisk melodies sound like they have someplace they need to be.