Phonograph - Phonograph

Genre alt-country Publisher Arclight Records External Links Official Phonograph Website Official Arclight Records Website

Listening to this Phonograph's debut album, one can tell there's a lot of reflection on Americana and interpersonal relationships. Not only are the songs' lyrics clues to the mystifying and sometime brilliant perceptiveness of the songwriter; but listening to the folkish tunes of the guitar and organ, the listener find himself drawn into the web of life's complexities. The Brooklyn-based quintet brings their own flare of alt-country to the scene. For those followers of Wilco, Tom Petty, Waco Brothers and the like, they will appreciate the rustic guitar tunes and indistinctive singing voice of Matthew Welsh (also key contributor of lyrics). He is supported by the skillful infusion of noise guitar, Moog, Octave CAT and such. I especially like "Radio Waves," "Parsons White," and "Have I Told You." "Have I Told You," is somewhat a love song - Welsh bleeds his heart out and does not "want to be taken as an idiot." It's a catchy song with nice lyrics. The rustic and homey flare has one smiling along with Welsh by the end of the song. "Parsons White's," title brought to mind dynamic musicians such as The Byrds; who were among the originators of this sound. The guitar flow and back beat has a way of sinking in and taking you back to the past. With a decent debut like this, greater things are to be expected.