I first started listening to Phoenix back in 2004 when I found the band’s 2nd album, Alphabetical, on a listening station in Bart’s CD Cellar in Boulder. Immediately upon placing the headphones over my ears, I was wrapped up in tight pop grooves, smooth vocals, and sparkling sonic effects.
The band is curiously original despite the fact that their earlier albums inspire comparisons to Maroon 5. I momentarily forgot about the band, but noticed they were on tour this year with a new album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. Went to the sold out show at the Bluebird (Denver, CO) blind, and was pleasantly shocked with where they’d taken the music – expanded direction into danceable, catching indie rock, filled with heavy keys and sound effects all laying on the foundation already built. Hooked again.
Based in Paris, Phoenix took off in Europe in 1999 when Air asked the group to be their backing band on several U.K. performances. The band broke in the U.S. on Saturday Night Live this past April, just before releasing their 4th studio album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (2009). After signing Phoenix in March, Daniel Glass of Glassnote Records released one of the new tracks to build up interest in the record and to increase the demand for live performances. According to Glass, that’s what inspired rampant talk about the band on blogs and the call from Saturday Night Live. Since then, Phoenix has played sold out clubs across the U.S., with appearances at Bonnaroo and on Letterman. This fall’s schedule includes the Greek Theatre (L.A.), The Warfield (S.F.), Monolith Festival (CO), and Austin City Limits.
I’ll leave you with two tracks and a video. “If I Ever Feel Better” is one of the first singles released back in 2000. Next is “Lisztomania” from Wolfgang Amadeus. The must watch is the video of “1901″ from SNL in April.
mp3: Phoenix – If I Ever Feel Better – United (2000)
mp3: Phoenix – Lisztomania – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (2009)
Lisztomania
So sentimental
Not sentimental no!
Romantic not disgusting yet
Darling i’m down and lonely
When with the fortunate only
I’ve been looking for something else
Do let do let do let jugulate do let do let do
Let’s go slowly, discouraged,
Distant from other interests
On your favorite weekend ending
This love’s for gentlemen only
That’s with the fortunate only
No i gotta be someone else
These days it comes it comes it comes it comes it comes and goes
Lisztomania
Think less but see it grow
Like a riot, like a riot, oh!
I’m not easily offended
It’s not hard to let it go
From a mess to the masses
Lisztomania
Think less but see it grow
Like a riot, like a riot, oh!
I’m not easily offended
It’s not hard to let it go
From a mess to the masses
Follow, misguide, stand still
Disgust, discourage
On this precious weekend ending
This love’s for gentlemen only
Wealthiest gentlemen only
And now that you’re lonely
Do let do let do let jugulate do let do let do
Let’s go slowly, discouraged,
We’ll burn the pictures instead
When it’s all over we can barely discuss
For one minute only
Not with the fortunate only
Thought it could have been something else
These days it comes it comes it comes it comes it comes and goes
Lisztomania
Think less but see it grow
Like a riot, like a riot, oh!
I’m not easily offended
It’s not hard to let it go
From a mess to the masses
Lisztomania
Think less but see it grow
Like a riot, like a riot, oh!
I’m not easily offended
It’s not hard to let it go
From a mess to the masses
Download through Amazon: Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
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