Operation Phoenix - Good Riddance > Reviews > PHOENIX United

Author's product rating:   

Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency of tracks
How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Value for Money

Advantages:	A great debut album .  It sounds like Daft Punk !
Disadvantages:	Too short ?

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I'm not sure to be at the right opinion, But I write an opinion about Phoenix debut album United.

Phoenix is a french pop-electronic music band.
From the golden area Versailles-Paris. Yet their debut album, "United", sounds like Alex Gopher or Daft Punk's cd's.

Let me tell you their story.
Once upon a time around 1991 (too old!), Thomas Mars (vocals), Deck D'Arcy (bass) and Christian Mazzalai (guitar) were a garage band, performing in pubs and bars, playing covers. End of the first part!
Then in 1997 they hit on the Phoenix name with a punk rock song : "Party time" (re-mixed for United). Another member Laurent Broncowitz joined the band at this time.

About this album :
This Phoenix debut album sounds like a funky-romantic-electronic with slices of Van Halen's guitar and voices.

"Too young" is a funky heavy-metal-moog song.
Then "Honeymoon" more R&B style, "Party time" more breakdance hall sound.
"On fire" like a ballad with african rhythmes.
"Funky square dance" 9'08" (something between a epic Pink Floyd or Zappa's song) we can easily describe a three-part epic that starts like a Hank William's Country & Western song about death before exploding with zombie breakdance and AC/DC guitar and finally a gospel choir, religious end! You go through something bizarre in the same song but it keeps you listening attentively.

This is the track-list :
01. School's rules
02. Too Young
03. Honeymoon
04. If I ever feel better
05. Party Time
06. On fire
07. Embrace
08. Summer days
09. Funky Square Dance
10. Definitive Breaks

The best is track 9 then 4 and 5...

So if you want to listen to something like musical description above just ask your favorite music shop ... But I really fancy this album!