Something old....something new (#8)

"Hunky Dory" by David Bowie (released 1971)

   A grand statement and seminal album in David Bowie's career "Hunky Dory" finds all the pieces coming together which would result in the epic glam-rock masterpiece "Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders From Mars". The "Spiders" are all accounted for; Trevor Bolder - bass, Mick Woodmansey - drums and the great Mick Ronson - guitar. The songwriting is rich and powerful with the arrangements heavy on piano (courtesy of Rick Wakeman), outstanding lyrics, melody and deftly placed strings. Opening with the teen angst of "Changes" this album presents an impressive variety of music. "Fill Your Heart" and "Kooks" are pop delights performed in Bowie's Anthony Newleyesque vocal style. The weird and rhythmically engaging "Andy Warhol" and folk rocking "Song for Dylan" are heartfelt and genre appropriate tributes for two of his idols. The beautiful "Quicksand" is driven by piano, strings and Bowie's finest croon. "The Bewlay Brothers" is another strong ballad with atmospheric guitar and lyrics speedily tripping off the tongue. My two favorite tracks are the glam rocking guitar workout "Queen Bitch" which would sound right at home on "Ziggy Stardust" and the sublime "Life on Mars?" An incredibly moving piano driven tune with soaring vocals on the chorus,  gorgeous guitar breaks and heart aching strings sweeping it over the top. "Hunky Dory" is the first great Bowie album and a signpost of what was to come from one of this generations greatest musical artists.

"Here's To Taking It Easy" by Phosphorescent (released 2010)

   Phosphorescent is basically singer/songwriter/multi-intrumentalist Matthew Houck. He is joined on the album by a complete band and they produce an achingly beatific slice of rootsy Americana rock (think Wilco and Neil Young). Slide and lap steel guitars slither and swim through each song weaving a shimmering bed for Houck's cracked yearning voice. As the album opens you are swept up by the punchy horns of "It's Hard to be Humble (when you're from Alabama)". Most of the tracks lock into mid-tempo grooves that build to beautifully woozy choruses. The guitar interplay on each song is laid back yet spectacular, as if they are anticipating each other's moves (it's a beautiful thing). "The Mermaid Song" is a perfect amalgamation of all these strengths. "I Don't Care if There's Cursing" repeats a simple melody over and over so perfectly you can't get enough of it. "Hej, Me I'm Light" is a hypnotic mantra performed solely by Houck on instruments and vocals. Two more highlights are "Heaven, Sitting Down" which is a great singalong country classic in the making and the nine minute epic "Los Angeles" which  closes the album out on a very Neil Young like note amid dueling guitars and waves of pedal steel. This is a big sounding record that I like more and more every time I play it. Here's to taking it easy!