Phoenix’s 2006 album It’s Never Been Like That was one of my favorite albums of that year (the band’s first two efforts were a bit disappointing to me), and it’s still something I enjoy listening to on occasion. It’s been a while since we last heard from the band (what with lead singer Thomas Mars being busy making babies with famous directors), and while I was looking forward to new material from them, I was a little concerned that the hiatus would send Phoenix’s sound back to the “Funky Squaredance” era.
“1901,” which the band is offering up for free on its Web site, thankfully doesn’t stray too far from what I liked; it’s dance oriented, but not too dance-y. The new album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix will be out in May, just in time for my birthday. Who says the French are rude?
A Phoenix sampler, from my completely biased perspective, below.
“Everything Is Everything”:
“Run Run Run”:
“Napoleon Says”:
“Consolation Prizes”:
We Are Phoenix [Official site]
LOL@Funky Squaredance. I must admit I listened to that quite a bit because I lived in Paris at the time of their debut…it brings good memories at least!
“Summer Days” off the first album is probably my favorite song by them… Admittedly ‘United’ had some serious issues (your correctly nailed :Funky Squaredance”) but i’m not really sure how you can call Alphabetical a disappointment. Personally, ‘It’s Never Been Like That’ was a letdown to me. I’m hoping they’ll win me back with album #4.
Funky Squaredance was a hilarious song. and there were other songs on that record that i liked unironically!
if the new record has anything as good as “Long Distance Calls” or “Courtesy Laughs” it will be golden for me. i liked “1901″ but am hoping it’s not THE single from the new record.
<3 this band – <3 that it was mixed/produced by Philippe Zdar – i would <3 a new cassius record but wolfgang amadeus phoenix will suffice