PHOSPHORESCENT - HERE'S TO TAKING IT EASY

Yeah I know I'm way behind the times on this one, but my only excuse is there's just too many excellent releases coming out and it's bloody expensive trying to keep up! I picked up tickets for the Phosphorescent gig at the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds in June and spotted this on Amazon for £5.99 with free postage. Bargain.

This was another 2010 release that finished near the top of most of the end of year charts. I'd only heard one track from a freebie CD with Mojo, but blimey what a superb album. Laid back, effortless, sublime, Americana, in other words right up my street. It's definitely got a real 70's Topanga Canyon Neil Young feel to the whole album which also ticks the right boxes.

It's a strong set of songs which builds throughout and has quite a strong emotional feel to the whole album. It kicks off in jaunty style with It's Hard To Be Humble (When You're From Alabama) and keeps up the quality right through to the final cut Los Angeles, which is a real standout with beautiful pedal steel flying over the top of an ever building production.

I guess in places it also reminds me of Bonnie Prince Billy / Palace Brothers, which is no bad thing. All in all a top album and is pointing to the gig in June being a highlight of 2011.