New Phosphorescent Video - "A Picture Of Our Torn Up Praise"
You probably remember when we lost our shit over Phosphorescent's major breakthrough Pride last year. We were a little disappointed to find the album's first clip -- Matthew stumbling around a European hotel room shirtless and drunk -- wasn't commensurate with "At Death"'s rich, elegiac march. Clearly he's trying to avoid a similar fate here. "A Picture" opens like a montage from a romantic comedy, friends and family arriving to Houck's place in the country, Phos man greeting each one with a hug and acceptance of their food, flowers, and birds ... and then she arrives. She smiles. How can he do anything but just stare? "It's been so long, you look like I remember ... but better. Is that weird? How did we even get here? It's like the years have gone and there's so much I want to say, so much I've said I want to take back and ... well fuck it, it's too early to mess this up. It's just ... I'm happy you came," he says with his eyes. Then the party's out in the snow, and here's where directors Zachary Sluser and Matt Theisen earn their keep, with rich and crisp views of the landscape, Phosphorescent looking like a Grecian deity, and bonding with his horse. OK, maybe not so much the last part.
Nice work, all. Moving. Pride deserves a moment like this. Although ... what exactly happens at the end there? That could change our take. Here's some more insight from director Z. Sluser:
The location is the countryside in and around Fairfield, IA where I grew up. It's a small town of about 10,000 people an hour south of Iowa City. The support from the people in the town itself was a huge help. We borrowed half of our grip and electric gear from a local infomercial company. The cast and crew spent 2 days in the freezing cold with us during their winter holidays. The owner of the horse was really into the whole idea and gave us the freedom to execute our ideas without thinking twice. Matt and I had never worked with horses before, but Matthew put our fears at rest as he not only was the star of the video but also became the horse wrangler (you'll have to ask him to chime in on his childhood horse experience, but he was a natural with him).
Some Phosphorescent for your pocket:
Phosphorescent - "A Picture Of Our Torn Up Praise" (MP3)
Pride is out on Dead Oceans.
Posted at 3:49 PM in Video
Tags: Phosphorescent
This is my least favourite song off Pride, but still excellent.
Posted by: Stephen at March 26, 2008 6:17 PM | ReplyPersonally I prefered the intensity and intimacy of the "At Death.." video, and the song is much better.
But Pride was one of last year's best. Also one of the most overlooked.
Score = 0
do not let musicians act in music videos....ever!
Posted by: Nick S at March 27, 2008 7:13 AM | ReplyScore = -5
I wouldn't say it was overlooked as that record (like his previous records) was reviewed everywhere, but, yeah, Matthew should be massive by now, particularly given the success of so many of his more milquetoast contemporaries. Also, as someone who has loved the band fiercely since I first heard "Salt and Blues", I would hardly call "Pride" a breakthrough, as it's just a continuation of a steady stream of amazing records.
Posted by: Lucas Jensen at March 27, 2008 8:16 AM | ReplyScore = 0
yeah I know Pride was pretty well jizzed-over in the blogosphere last year, but it's still amazing how many people (even blog-regulars) haven't heard of Phosphorescent. 'Overlooked' was the wrong word I suppose.
Posted by: Stephen in reply to Lucas Jensen's comment at March 27, 2008 5:21 PM | ReplyScore = 0
oh no, not the horse!
this is a very sweet and beautiful video.
Posted by: home is where the art is at March 27, 2008 12:20 PM | ReplyScore = 4
Posted by: lisa at April 10, 2008 2:28 PM | ReplyWin a $150,000 recording contract at woozyfly.com/contests!!
Score = -1