On the indie music circuit, band looks to strike a chord

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Lent, the Christian season of fasting, began this Wednesday. For me, these 40 days have evolved from a show of faith to an exercise in self-control. This Lent I have decided to abstain from two things: 1. Wearing my Boy Scout sash underneath my clothes. 2. Folk music. I know what you are thinking: "Take my eyes, but not the folk." Folk music has had a good run on this column, but it's time to move on. Do you hear me, Textile, Bugling, and Rabbit-Raising badges? It's time to move on. So for the next 40 days, This Weeks Review will abstain from all things pertaining to red squirrels, meadowlarks, or easy plateaus.

This Weeks Review: Lanois shows off production skills with cohesive tracks on ‘What Is’

You don't know it yet, but you want to party with Daniel Lanois. He has been behind the console of legends like U2, Emmylou Harris, Brian Eno, Peter Gabriel and the tambourine man himself, Bob Dylan. If that who's who of undeniable coolness doesn't do it for you, then you are cool—approaching Prince-levels of cool. For the rest of us, living our lives in the Jason Segel regions of the hip spectrum, Daniel Lanois is a god.

This Weeks Review

On the indie music circuit, band looks to strike a chord

April 3, 2009

Hey, do you remember in the future when we're always talking about that band Phoenix, and their stellar album "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix"? THIS IS THAT MOMENT. Since we're on the topic of the future, there are some things you should know: The Office will continue to be unfunny, Vitamin Water will flow through taps, and Gossip Girl will play a track off of Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. You have been forewarned.

Now go flaunt your newfound knowledge to your friends, before Serena makes it hip.

To be fair, Phoenix isn't a new band. This French-born indie-rock band has been around since the early 2000s and quickly joined the ranks of their French counterparts Air, Daft Punk, and-close sonic relative-Nada Surf. With "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix," the group shows a much wider spectrum of influence.

The album boasts the drumbeats and heavy synth lines typical of European indie-rock, but there is a new infusion of flavor in this album.

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix cites newer indie phenomena like Vampire Weekend and The Arcade Fire. Phoenix's lead singer, Thomas Mars, delivers a spot-vocal performance that channels Brandon Flowers (The Killers) and Russel Mercer (The Shins). His brittle chest-voice and piercing falsetto complement the heavy rhythmic and instrumental qualities of the band that backs him. The melodies are not long, sweeping lyrical lines, but bouncy and percussive ones: making each song a foot-tapping, head-bobbing delight.

There are so many strong tracks on this album. The first track, "Lisztomania," opens the album with punchy guitars and a driving backbeat. It sets the tone for the rest of the songs, something all good opening tracks should do. "1901" is the breakout hit of this album. When Gossip Girl pounces on this album, and it will, this will be the song that they take. It is pure attitude-gritty electric guitars mixed with Ratatat synthesizers and a Vampire Weekend-esque chorus.

This album's real strength is its sheer, unadulterated fun. Musically or lyrically it doesn't have anything earth-shattering to say. In fact, the catchy guitar riffs and low-level of the vocals make the lyrics hard to follow. But the album makes no pretensions. It is a true springtime album. Its energy compels all who listen to it to get out of their seasonal funks.

While the EP of "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" has been released, the full album won't be available until May 25th. Until then, spend some precious quality time with the rest of your iPod. It's going to get jealous.

So go out there, and liberate yourself from the ice and snow. You know you love me.

XOXO,

Music Guy

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