Phoenix - 'Alphabetical' (Virgin)
4/5
By: Toby L
A puzzling one. Bad soul? Bastardized pop? Inverse indie?
No, it's not worth attempting to pinpoint Phoenix. They're French, though; that explains enough.
Their second album, 'Alphabetical', has been years in the pipeline, a worthy, futuristic, slick, electro-rock barrage of hooks and jazzy synths; it's like Beck on a mountain of acid. Which, of course, paints a fantastic vision.
The opening trio of compositions are (non-)dancefloor-smashes; the robust, robotic pulse of 'Everything Is Everything', dashing, sleek disco of 'Run Run' and messy dynamics of a funk-addled 'I'm An Actor'. Then, there's even the tear-jerking ballad - an acoustically reflective 'Love For Granted', genuinely jaw-dropping in its tearful poignancy.
Then back to the neo-chintzy pop groove, busters. 'Victim of the Crime' is a tapping, laidback gem, '(You Can't Blame It On) Anybody' is Daft Punk summer-anthemery, 'Congratulations' is a lounge-lizard smooth instrumental, 'If It's Not With You' could be a classic Barry White standard, 'Holdin' On Together' is 80s bliss, and the closing title-track is a sweepingly genial exercise in easy-listening grandeur.
Appealingly, Phoenix's trippy-dippy world is a pleasant one. And better than most other's; pray for an invite.
Artists in this article: Phoenix
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