Many mainstream artists have gone hiding this year while some great bands like Pearl Jam have released albums which I have postponed buying. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is another imperfect album this year has bought upon us. I would first like to be a little critical in saying that Phoenix is by no means one of my favourite bands but every now and then there is a song from this album which gets stuck in my head, the good thing though is that it's never the same song as the last time. Lisztomania is a trip, it caught my attention because it is arguably the best album opener I've heard in a long time. Moving on, "Fences" is yet another beautiful piledriver which sets the pulse racing and makes you think these Johnny boys know what they're doing just like Dire Straits knew what they were doing when they made that song about MTV (walk of life)
I would be lying if I say this band is contemporary. It's their fourth cd and my first Phoenix record. "Rome" on the other hand is their most easy to love song on the disc. It is to this album what Sea Legs was to Wincing the night Away by The Shins. A great song and I have no idea what they're basing the songs on. Again, a very moody vocalist I've noticed. My favourite thing to do is to let Fences play and then comes the best song on the album, "Love Like A Sunset" I will not bother trying to explain the song. It makes me realize how much I miss the synth on a record called "Elements" by Lemon Jelly. What a stunner.
I sort of detest and ignore the rest of the record but I still give it four stars because it's a good effort from the band. Aside from the Animal Collective cd, I love listening to this cd. I strongly recommend "Wild Beasts" though who have a more defined sound yet seem more brittle than Phoenix. You can start by listening to the hit, "Hooting & Howling" from that disc.
Phoenix though have found a long-term fan in me.
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