Top 10 Albums of 2009 – No.6

Music — By Andrew Evans on 06/12/09

N0.6 Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

Phoenix’s fifth album, the wonderfully titled Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, finally sees the French band realise the potential that has been seen in each one of their four preceding releases.  Such a step forward for them was it that a Grammy nomination came their way for Best Alternative Album.

That it is nominated in the Alternative category does it something of a disservice, as this, for all intents and purposes is a pop album of the highest calibre. Guitar’s fizz with sugary energy and synths glide through velvet smooth choruses.

Playing its pop hand early in the shape of opening duo Lisztomania and 1901 allows the rest of the album to explore more unfamiliar territory and less regimented arrangements, the fruits of which can be seen in particularly on the dazzling Lasso.

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is everything a pop album should be – short, sharp and instantly familiar, but it’s real triumph is its keenness to push the boundaries of the band’s sound further than ever before.

Lisztomania (Clip)

1901 (Clip)