Alphabetical

by

Phoenix

Edit

I just got this album and have been listening to it non-stop. I enjoyed United a great deal thanks to Lost in Translation of course, but Alphabetical is a superb album in many respects. It's happy feel-good music that makes you want to dance! After I play it - I need to play Everything Is Everything and Holdin' It Together one more time. Those are my favorite tracks - then I need to play the whole thing again and again.

I haven't heard anything quite like this group. Each track has a number of different, unique grooves and I love how the lyrics kind of roll with it and play with different styles. It takes a lot of disco, some eighties, and electronica then spins it into a new thing all its' own. Pop at its' finest. This album should be making some waves.

The album is quite good as a whole and much more cohesive. Maybe nothing as memorable as Too Young - United has some super stand out tracks but a couple were off the wall. It's very rare for a second to top the first - to continue the sound but yet take it to new levels. Usually I am disappointed. If you liked the debut, then get this album!!!

A bit down the page one user remarked how this album is missing that ever elusive "edge". I'm not so sure that Pheonix are aiming for any edge, I would venture to say that they are going for something "smooth". To me, these guys seem pretty deliberate with their delivery, and their lead singer, Thomas Mars, is good at what he does regardless of whether you like it or not. His voice is the aural equivalent of velour. By that I mean smooth and cheesy at times, but very pleasing. You must judge things in context. I wouldn't like his voice in anything rock or folky, but when you are listening to this mellow, laid back sort of funk, it is pure gold.

I like this album a lot and I absolutely love their newest album.