Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix - Phoenix

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

Phoenix
Glassnote Records.

SCQ Rating: 76%

I first heard Phoenix in the dawn of 2007, during an impulse buy caused by some positive buzz on year-end lists and the band’s constant, unavoidable comparisons to Air. Needless to say, once It’s Never Been Like That shot from my speakers like the best beer commercial soundtrack no one’s made, I figured the only proximity Phoenix could share with Air would have to be geographical, not sonic. I pinpointed the error to lazy, connect-the-dot journalism and got back to wishing I was able to posthumously attach It’s Never Been Like That to my Best of 2006 list. Over two years later, while my brother gushes madly from the backseat about the recent leak of their new record, he relates how Phoenix were Air’s live touring band. And just like that, a giant puzzle-piece falls squarely in my lap. With Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, the band actually sounds capable of such a prominent side-gig, amicably blending their studio knowledge with the red-hot licks of their last record.

Such a mix of spunk and texture doesn’t come easy; check out Alphabetical if you don’t believe me. As good an example as any of a band getting totally lost amid all the possibilities a studio can offer, Phoenix’s second album was superbly tweaked and hopelessly boring, presenting a set of once-promising songs layered into a polished ennui. And while It’s Never Been Like That acted as a much-needed enema, cleansing their overwrought ambition with lean, off-the-cuff guitar anthems, the quartet from Versailles knew not to return to the same well twice. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is a collision-point, significantly more muscular in scope and supposedly more purposeful than their last record. ‘Lisztomania’ and ‘1901’ shoot for urgency and nail it; the former merging the celebratory indie-rock of 2006 with a tellingly bold bridge (chugging like a modern, micro-sized ‘Whole Lotta Love’ before disassembling into synth-bits) while ‘1901’ is about as badass a pop song you’ll hear all year. The whole of Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (whatever the hell that means) essentially lives up to such early promise, unleashing catchy, if superfluous, tunes that are better distinguished instrumentally than compositionally. ‘Fences’ shares the beatific vibe of Alphabetical but never gets too comfortable while ‘Countdown’ could’ve sat pleasantly alongside anything from It’s Never Been Like That if not for its broader selection of organs and synths. Even the tracks that lack upgrades, namely ‘Lasso’ and ‘Girlfriend’, are rewarding in their addictive Phoenix-esque way; simply put, you won’t need the skip button here.

Of course, I’m commonly most interested in progression and Wolfgang… seems content to nudge its own glass ceiling once or twice. In the case of ‘Rome’, it’s a stunning success; the band’s first unabashed ballad, reflective yet hardly hung up over itself, constantly amping its casual drama with each chorus. Less expected but no less structured is the ‘Love Like a Sunset’ suite; first an epic build of keys and finger-picked guitar, followed by some heroic, open chords and a few lyrics by vocalist Thomas Mars. The brevity of that second act is eyebrow-raising considering the unusual five-plus minutes the boys spent lifting it up, but such is the risk with experimentation. These moments hint at some sort of ‘Statement Record’ but Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix certainly isn’t it. Wolfgang… isn’t even their masterpiece, although it proves how well they can expand upon a proven formula. What we have is an excellent understatement of how good Phoenix could, and might some day, become.

It's Never Been Like That - Phoenix

It’s Never Been Like That

Phoenix
Arts & Crafts Records.

SCQ Rating: 78%

Something I purchased in January of 07, I immediately understood why their third album was featured in several year-end lists of 2006. I recall sitting on my bed, beginning to memorize lyrics and melodies as I played the record repeatedly, and being blown away that I was so comfortable and familiar with an album I had only owned for several hours.

I can’t recall an album latching itself onto anyone who casually hears it like It’s Never Been Like That since Weezer’s Blue Album. It’s quirkiness and brevity matched with such power-pop sensibilities comes off nearly as flawlessly. Unlike that seminal 1994 release, however, I cannot vouch for any Phoenix song to have the lasting impact as any given song off that self-titled effort. While ‘Long Distance Call’ or ‘Courtesy Laughs’ play well blaring from your car stereo or any social gathering with friends, it won’t be chosen when you’re on your own, opting for a night alone. Despite the often sunny disposition of Weezer’s debut effort, there was considerable depth in the band’s songwriting and River Cuomo’s lyrics which made it ideal for both drunken celebration and worthless self-pity.

So why make a comparison between Phoenix and Weezer, back when Weezer mattered? For two reasons: 1) I’d wager this band is capable of writing an album superior to this one; as fun as INBLT but deeper in mood and complexity, and 2) because INBLT lacks that dimension that divides flippantly off-the-cuff indie records from classics. The fact that this record requires a particular listening environment is what keeps it from greatness.