October 4, 2007

New Phosphorescent - "Wolves"

Been digging on some great pre-release albums of late (Santogold, Celebration), but none have owned our non-promo/casual listening time like Brooklyn by way of Georgia singer/songwriter Matthew Houck (aka Phosphorescent) and the sublime, gothic-tinged folk fare of the forthcoming LP Pride. It's Phosphorescent's third full-length, first for Dead Oceans, and far and away his finest work, sustaining a bittersweet, organic vibe throughout. There's no picking faves on an album that runs this deep, but these two are perfect Pride primers. Matthew's circadian strum on "Wolves," joined by harmonium and later star-gazing guitar, set a dusky backdrop for his cracking, fireside vox. "The hilltops at night, they are beautiful." Perfectly beautiful.

Phosphorescent - "Wolves" (MP3)

Album opener "A Picture..." comes with rattling shakers, howls, and falsettos -- tuneful while shambling, ragged and gorgeous, probably a lot like his chosen picture of torn up praise.

Phosphorescent - "A Picture Of Our Torn Up Praise" (MP3)

The outstanding Pride is out 10/23 on Dead Oceans. Get it. And check him on tour with Bowerbirds and Akron/Family (dates after the jump).

10/09 Grantham, PA @ Larsen Student Union, Messiah College
10/10 Rochester, NY @ Bug Jar
10/11 Scranton, PA @ Test Pattern
10/12 Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern
10/13 Grand Rapids, MI @ The DAAC
10/14 Chicago, IL @ AV-aerie
10/15 Urbana, IL @ Canoply Club (Void Room)
10/18 Denver, CO @ Hi Dive
10/19 Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court
10/24 San Francisco, CA @ Hemlock Tavern
10/26 Los Angeles, CA @ El Cid
10/27 Phoenix, AZ @ Casa Blanca
10/29 Austin, TX @ Cactus Cafe
10/30 Denton, TX @ Rubber Gloves
11/04 Wilmington NC @ Bella Festa*
11/05 Washington DC @ Black Cat*
11/07 Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Side Chapel*
11/08 Allston, MA @ Great Scott*
11/09 New York, NY @ Cake Shop*
11/10 Brooklyn, NY @ Venue TBA (Todd P show)*
11/22 Den Haag, Netherlands @ Crossing Border Festival#
11/23 Brussels, Belgium @ AB Club#
11/24 Brighton, UK @ Pressure Point#
11/25 Bristol, UK @ The Croft#
11/27 Aberdeen, UK @ Lemon Tree#
11/28 Glasgow, UK @ The Beat Club#
11/29 Newcastle, UK @ The Other Rooms#
11/30 Manchester, UK @ Phoenix#
12/01 Leeds, UK @ Faversham#
12/02 London, UK @ Cargo#
12/04 Nottingham, UK @ The Social#
12/05 Coventry, UK @ Taylor John's House#