Right at the end of the ‘00s, when the garage rock revival led by the Strokes was in its last death throes, Phoenix released Lisztomania; a song of skipping beauty that seemed to refresh and sustain that distinctive sound for another 18 months.
What it also did, though, was introduce to a wider audience a band not terribly well known in the English-speaking world, whose sound was actually a lot broader than garage rock. Like fellow Frenchmen Daft Punk and Justice, much of Phoenix’s music results from updating retro elements with stringently modern themes. And that is where their sixth album, ‘Ti Amo’ works best.
J-Boy and Tuttifruitti are smashy disco tracks, full of sparkling synths and strutting guitar licks but produced with incredible, often thrilling attention to detail.
The vocals of Thomas Mars retain a joyous insouciance honed over 17 years, presenting dadaist poetry in various languages, adorned by an occasional falsetto that recalls Debbie Harry.
Like Blondie - who released the excellent ‘Pollinator’ in May - Phoenix appear to be doubling down on their quintessential sound. In Phoenix's case that’s a kind of hyper-literate post-punk swagger.
Fleur de lys and Goodbye Soleil offer more old school joy, with the latter a lounge ballad of loose limbed summer grooves, rich with confidence and relaxed, sexy vibes. Elsewhere, Role Model opens with lovely churchy organs and a predictable but satisfying drop into pop production.
It’s an album that does exactly what it sets out to, with consistently high quality. But it's not terribly urgent sounding and - actually - there is no songwriting here that comes even close to Lisztomania. You can go further, even, and say that despite the broader textures and handsome elements, there is not a song on 'Ti Amo' that really sticks in the memory. For all its precision, 'Ti Amo' suggests a band in a bit of a comfort zone, and that runs the gamut of being contemptuous.
Phoenix Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Sat September 30 2017 - LONDON Alexandra Palace
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