Phospherescent: Pride

I don't know where to begin with this one. Phosphorescent is one guy, Mathew Houck, and I think the best word to use to describe his music is sweeping. It's slow, it pleads, and it cascades left and right with rich vocal harmony and slow, plodding guitar strums. It has a lot of space. It's an expiremental approach to folk music, but there are still rich melodies at the surface that keep the songs sounding familiar, but just a little out of reach.

Listen to this one at night, when you're sitting at your computer by yourself. This stuff is like lotion-music. It's a little cold at first, but its thick and creazy, and it feels good once it soaks in.

As for the equation, I'm thinking: Mazzy Star x (Crosby, Stills & Nash + + Will Oldham + a pinch Band of Horses)

LINK: Phospherescent: Pride

Animal Collective: "Peacebone"

"Why again do people like this band?" That's been my primary impression of Animal Collective since purchasing their Here Comes the Indian album on a recommendation. That was both scary, and really really boring. Noise collages just aren't for me.

But, their new album, Strawberry Jam is nice and accessible -- almost campy for a band that has enjoyed most of their success on the predication that they are difficult to listen too, and therefore uniquely hardcore in their own right. Anyway, the new album isn't quite easy listening, but's a real gem of modern psych-rock. There's definitely a quirky, circus-style Beach Boys-thing, with a wall of electronic noise happening throughout the disc.

Here's the first track off the album, called "Peacebone". If you like this song, you will like Strawberry Jam.

Animal Collective: Strawberry Jam

Haven't had a chance to listen to this one yet, but the solo album from Animal Collective member, Panda Bear, that came out earlier this year was excellent. Critics typically fawn over this group, and their albums are always worth a listen.

LINK:
Animal Collective: Strawberry Jam