The Phosphorescent Blues
The Phosphorescent Blues does not begin with a brief introduction. Familiarity takes more than ten minutes to develop its ideas. Quiet singing, changing rhythms and detailed ensemble playing follow one another without requiring a full rock band. Punch Brothers make music that asks for attention here. The reward is in how those different parts come together.
The album considers human connection in a world full of distractions. That subject suits a group whose separate instrumental lines depend on one another. Chris Thile's high voice often leads, but guitar, double bass, fiddle and banjo share the work of moving the music forward. Producer T Bone Burnett gives the instruments a clear, close sound. Small changes remain audible without making the arrangements feel thin.
Julep provides one of the easiest ways into the record. Its restrained mood and memorable melody work beyond the more complicated instrumental passages. I Blew It Off reaches more directly for the appeal of a pop song. Elsewhere, arrangements of Debussy and Scriabin demonstrate the possibilities of this acoustic line-up. The classical pieces gain a distinct sound without becoming contests in speed.
Not every departure is equally convincing. Magnet and My Oh My feel less natural than the strongest, quieter moments. They also reveal how difficult the balance between pop writing and elaborate playing can be.
There are still plenty of strong connections. The traditional Boll Weevil keeps the group's roots audible, while Little Lights provides a gentler ending. The Phosphorescent Blues is an ambitious record that usually puts its considerable skill towards a recognisable human concern: finding a way to reach other people.
