jakobnicholas Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 Curious if anyone has heard this fairly new record by singer/songwriter Matthew Houck and a great backing band. I've been listening to it a lot. Definitely one of my faves of the year. If "Americana" can ever be used to describe a cd, "Here's To Taking it Easy" qualifies...the sounds on it remind me of Neil Young, Willie Nelson, The Jayhawks and Wilco. The opener "It's Hard To Be Humble" has a light, laid-back, breezy shuffle to it. Songs like "We'll Be Here Soon" and "Tell Me Baby Have Had Enough" are very country and very beautiful. The country rocker "I Don't Care If There's Cursing" sounds like a track off Being There. "Mermaid Parade" is probably the standout and "Los Angeles" sounds like an early Neil Young track. Lap Steel guitar is all over the record. Houck's lyrics are about a relationship getting torn apart due to his busy touring schedule. Nothing revolutionary going on here, just a very pleasant-sounding record that I put in my cd player and don't ever want to press "stop" or "skip". Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Terrapin Ben Posted June 14, 2010 Share Posted June 14, 2010 Awesome. Thanks for the heads up jakobnicholas. I look forward to giving this album a spin. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wild Frank Posted September 16, 2010 Share Posted September 16, 2010 Awesome. Thanks for the heads up jakobnicholas. I look forward to giving this album a spin.I have this record and really like it. As mentioned above it has elements of a lot of "americana" albums and artists. The two tracks which jump out are 'Mermaid Parade' and the stunning 'Los Angeles'. The later is so obviously indebted to Neil Young (circa 'Zuma') that, if it wasn't so good, you would accuse Matthew Houck of plagerism. In fact the instrumental passages remind me of 'Words' from 'Harvest'. However, as its the best song I've heard this year I'll let him off. If you're gonna rip off someone may as well be Neil. Have either of you heard any of his other records. On the basis of this album I need me some more. Great stuff. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DrNo Posted September 17, 2010 Share Posted September 17, 2010 I have all of it. Pride, To Willie and Aw Come, Aw Wry are all essential, three of the best albums I've heard in the past decade. The album and ep that preceded these have their moments as well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
-seven Posted March 2, 2013 Share Posted March 2, 2013 I know I'm late on this but having just heard this: I'm now going back and checking out Here's to Taking It Easy & Pride and am getting hooked on it. I'm kicking myself that I didn't go see them when they played my town a couple years ago. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Head in a Guillotine Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 New record is streaming on NPR: http://www.npr.org/2013/03/03/172979166/first-listen-phosphorescent-muchacho?ps=mh_fl Also, is it just me, or does anyone else here a big nod to John Prine's "All the Best" on "Song for Zula"? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
-seven Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 Thanks for the link! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Magnetized Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 New record is streaming on NPR: http://www.npr.org/2013/03/03/172979166/first-listen-phosphorescent-muchacho?ps=mh_fl Also, is it just me, or does anyone else here a big nod to John Prine's "All the Best" on "Song for Zula"? What I heard reminded me of "The Rose." Are you sure that's not what you're thinking of? That sounded NOTHING like All the Best (one of my favorite John Prine songs). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shug Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 I think he or she means in the lyrics both songs share "..some say love..but I know love..." I love Prine's The Missing Years, too. Unlonely is so killer, that whole album is probably Howie Epstein's crowning achievement, so many tasty players with just the right touch bringing magic to Prine's great songs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
e_wind Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 The new record, as well as everything else this band has done, is great Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wild Frank Posted May 3, 2013 Share Posted May 3, 2013 Finally got 'round to listening to the new album and it is really good. Song for Zula is the highlight for me but everything this guy puts out is pretty top notch. Loved his performance on Fallon too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bigideas Posted May 22, 2013 Share Posted May 22, 2013 Song for Zula is getting played on Sirius XMU a lot. I have been wondering if he has to give June Carter Cash songwriting credit for quoting such a big part of the song? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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