OK, this disc's been out for a while, but if anything, here's hoping a late but ringing endorsement of this fine disc gives it some new momentum. Because man, oh man, are Phoenix ever a great pop band. They're kind of like black licorice—candy, but the sort of sophisticated candy that I suspect many people have convinced themselves they don't like without actually ever trying really great black licorice. Where am I going with this? Phoenix's brand of pop is so finely honed and lacking in any sort of edge that it's rather tempting to dismiss them as thin, dry, and stale—like black Twizzlers.
But in truth, they're more like that Panda black licorice from Finland, or even the new PC Aussie-Style black licorice—rich, supple, soft, tender, and imbued with a surprising depth of flavour. And above all, not actually that sweet. It's the kind of stuff I could eat all day, and after three spins in a row of Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, I guess I figuratively just did. Mmmm, mmm.
(The Kitsune Tabloid mix-CD that the band recently curated is also a very deep and flavourful selection, albeit of other people's music, and is likewise highly recommended listening—V/A comp-repping ed.)