We have been fans of the “band” Phosphorescent since 2007 when we first heard their song Cocaine Lights off their record “Pride.”  Matthew Houck has been the sole songwriter and stationary member of the band, and his haunting vocals and emotive songs have always held sway at the Lefort residence.

Following Pride, Houck hooked up with members of the country group, Virgin Forest, to put out the stellar Willie Nelson-tribute record “To Willie.”  We’re happy to see that Houck and the Virgin ones have remained a collective.

Now comes the band’s new record, “Here’s to Taking It Easy,” and it is further confirmation of Houck’s (and the band’s) worth in the land of alt-country.  Like the Avett Brothers, Houck is Alabama-born and Brooklyn-resident, and the musical thaumaturgy of Brooklyn has once again been borne out.

The new record plays with 70’s country-rock stylings, and coincides perfectly with the re-release of the Stones’ “Exile on Main Street.”  You can almost hear Gram Parsons, Keith Richards and the Stones entourage in that French mansion on the new song The Mermaid Parade. Alternately, one hears The Band and the pizzicato-playing of Robbie Roberston.  Houck slays on this song with the delivery of these lines in particular:

“Now our hearts were on fire
Only two weeks ago
And our bodies were like live wires
Down on the beach in Mexico
But I came back to this city
And you stayed home in LA
And then our two years of marriage
In two short weeks somehow just slipped away”

He never seems to fail to render the heart.

Phosphorescent–The Mermaid Parade

[audio:https://www.thelefortreport.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/The-Mermaid-Parade.mp3|titles=The Mermaid Parade]

And do listen again to Cocaine Lights. On this song, with its gospel gambit and prayerful piano petitions, you’ll swear you feel your own blood clickin’.

Phosphorescent–Cocaine Lights

[audio:https://www.thelefortreport.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/13-Cocaine-Lights.mp3|titles=13 Cocaine Lights]

“But lord they’re rolling me away
Ain’t they rolling me away
Don’t they roll oh oh oh
In the morning in the kitchen
I can hear my own blood clicking
So I stand there and I listen
Til the glowing begins

—-

And lord I truly am awake
And lord, truly I am afraid
And, lord, truly I remain

—-

I will recover my sense of grace
And rediscover my rightful place
Yes and cover my face
With the morning”