So as much as I'm going to sound like that guy--you'll know who I'm talking about--I'm going to say it: Muchacho isn't nearly as good as what Phosphorescent have previously done. It's too bad because I was pretty excited for this record. I really, really liked this band's last album Here's to Taking it Easy. It had such a cool honky-tonky bar-band kinda feel (with lots of horns), and I've been a big fan of the main guy's first couple records for a while now (yes, that guy), specifically Aw Come, Awry, which has a nice almost Otis Redding soul vibe with lots o horns.
But, I dunno, I just find the tunes here kind of boring and repetitious. And I can't stand the way he sort of yelps throughout the whole record (once is enough buddy). It's as if he's so bored of the songs himself, he decided to throw in some cowboy sounds to keep himself entertained.
So, yeah, the more I listen and think about this album, the less impressed I be. Having said that, I vote Muchacho.
Andrew, I've been thinking about it, and I'll say it, to keep our frenemies schtick going: You do sound like that guy. I really like Muchacho. It seems more varied and mature than Aw Come, Awry, at least. I think some tracks do really stand out, like Song for Zulu. But even the ones that are a little less firework-filled are still beyond listenable, I say. But then, I have always liked cowboys.
I'm going with Phosphorescent. I actually thought Muchacho was a little too 'lame-country' sounding at times, his earlier stuff was better I thought. Daniel Higgs was good to, it was a close one, but I guess not close enough... maybe because I listened to Magic Alphabet
I tend to go in for effect rather than affect, and to these ears, Higgs is more into affect. Phospho, on the other hand, seems like a pretty straight shooter. I will try to say more about Muchacho, since it was on my list, but for now, my vote=in.
Higgs is my vote. I like his direction of SAY GOD. I was listening again to this song/album when my friend Isabel gave birth to Paloma and I was like wtfsaygod. Joe introduced me to DHiggs through Lungfish and it will be forever imprinted on the ceiling of my mind bc Joe described seeing LF live and how D repeated the same one liner until the multiplicity of meaning struck J. J looked like he was tripping when he recalled the story. And then I listened to D by himself and found he likes to sail away on one liners, like mantras. And I really respond to that simplicity and mantra-like message.
Seeing him live in BCN and BKLYN made his music come alive even more to me. He is very gentle and present and gracious with himself musically. It is to say, that he seems to listen to where the music or heartmind wants to take him and he goes there with generosity of spirit.
I'm going with Phosphorescent. I listened to most of Say God this morning and I can see how this would be an experience live, but it doesn't work that well for me through speakers...at least in my office. Maybe if I was just sitting and listening to it, which is something I'd like to do more sometime. This Phosporescent album is one of my most-listened to of the last several months and I love it.
Listening to Daniel Higgs reminds me of the first time I listened to David Fischoff. Very striking. But not enough to beat out the Phosphorescent album which, Andrew notwithstanding, is solidly enjoyable (in the best of ways).
VS.
So as much as I'm going to sound like that guy--you'll know who I'm talking about--I'm going to say it: Muchacho isn't nearly as good as what Phosphorescent have previously done. It's too bad because I was pretty excited for this record. I really, really liked this band's last album Here's to Taking it Easy. It had such a cool honky-tonky bar-band kinda feel (with lots of horns), and I've been a big fan of the main guy's first couple records for a while now (yes, that guy), specifically Aw Come, Awry, which has a nice almost Otis Redding soul vibe with lots o horns.
ReplyDeleteBut, I dunno, I just find the tunes here kind of boring and repetitious. And I can't stand the way he sort of yelps throughout the whole record (once is enough buddy). It's as if he's so bored of the songs himself, he decided to throw in some cowboy sounds to keep himself entertained.
So, yeah, the more I listen and think about this album, the less impressed I be. Having said that, I vote Muchacho.
Andrew, I've been thinking about it, and I'll say it, to keep our frenemies schtick going: You do sound like that guy. I really like Muchacho. It seems more varied and mature than Aw Come, Awry, at least. I think some tracks do really stand out, like Song for Zulu. But even the ones that are a little less firework-filled are still beyond listenable, I say. But then, I have always liked cowboys.
DeleteI'm going with Phosphorescent. I actually thought Muchacho was a little too 'lame-country' sounding at times, his earlier stuff was better I thought. Daniel Higgs was good to, it was a close one, but I guess not close enough... maybe because I listened to Magic Alphabet
ReplyDeleteI tend to go in for effect rather than affect, and to these ears, Higgs is more into affect. Phospho, on the other hand, seems like a pretty straight shooter. I will try to say more about Muchacho, since it was on my list, but for now, my vote=in.
ReplyDeleteHiggs is my vote. I like his direction of SAY GOD. I was listening again to this song/album when my friend Isabel gave birth to Paloma and I was like wtfsaygod. Joe introduced me to DHiggs through Lungfish and it will be forever imprinted on the ceiling of my mind bc Joe described seeing LF live and how D repeated the same one liner until the multiplicity of meaning struck J. J looked like he was tripping when he recalled the story. And then I listened to D by himself and found he likes to sail away on one liners, like mantras. And I really respond to that simplicity and mantra-like message.
ReplyDeleteSeeing him live in BCN and BKLYN made his music come alive even more to me. He is very gentle and present and gracious with himself musically. It is to say, that he seems to listen to where the music or heartmind wants to take him and he goes there with generosity of spirit.
Also, I liked Phosphorescent.
"Love Will Ruin Your Mind" is the one liner
DeleteI'm going with Phosphorescent. I listened to most of Say God this morning and I can see how this would be an experience live, but it doesn't work that well for me through speakers...at least in my office. Maybe if I was just sitting and listening to it, which is something I'd like to do more sometime.
ReplyDeleteThis Phosporescent album is one of my most-listened to of the last several months and I love it.
Apologies to Daniel Higgs. Phosphorescent gets my vote. And it's not even close. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteListening to Daniel Higgs reminds me of the first time I listened to David Fischoff. Very striking. But not enough to beat out the Phosphorescent album which, Andrew notwithstanding, is solidly enjoyable (in the best of ways).
ReplyDelete