boc004: psh – the lighthouse itself is the rocket

Somewhere between chilling alone in his bedroom, excavating forgotten memories, and hypnotic deep sleeping, FMLY’s own Philip Seymour Hoffman has taken an adventure into a realm of experimental folky goodness.  While listening to this New York based artist’s debut cassette release the lighthouse itself is the rocket (Breakfast of Champs 2009) it becomes unclear whether you are awake or asleep.

Side A begins with a terrifying lullaby, cooing the listener into a dream-like state whose nightmares are drenched in psychedelia, pot smoke, and pure love, while side B holds lazy beats and puffed out half grooves that make it impossible not to nod your head.  Lyrically the album reads as half-baked poetry, and while sometimes he may sound like a motivational speaker, the clearer message is that this weirdo folkster is merely offering a shoulder to rest our heads on when times get tough.  Without love from friends and family this record would not be possible, and don’t think PSH doesn’t know this.  Signing off at the end of the record almost places him in your room with an acoustic guitar, a pitch shifter, and an old goosebumps mask, performing an intimate show just for you.  From west to east and from all around the world, everyone is a part of THE FMLY and Philip Seymour Hoffman has opened his heart and soul to reveal just how haunting and beautiful this life can be.

What this PSH record lacks in dense layering and intricate melody is gained in intimacy and honesty, each song an impressionable vignette of post-teenage sentience.  Starting today, you can pick up this 30-minute cassette release from Boston’s own Breakfast of Champs Records for just $4 plus shipping.  Also, keep an eye out for the Mirror Universe Tapes compilation out December 5th, featuring a new original track by PSH, and music from Toro Y Moi, Easyboy, and a dozen other equally fantastic artists!

side a (track 2): philip seymour hoffman – a generation speaks (some translation required)
side b (track 7): philip seymour hoffman – spring break 2011