Phoenix on Sound Opinions
This week the boys at Sound Opinions hosted band of the moment, Phoenix. Record of the summer? Jim and Greg seem to think so. It’s poppy, it’s French, it’s histor-o-centric.
(I tried to see Phoenix myself earlier this month. They were in town playing the Austin City Limits Fest. I was never going to join that filthy slog, but I got word that the band was playing a “secret show” late that night. I headed down to Beauty Bar, and waited. Local semi-big shots Voxtrot played, and then we waited. And waited. Word spread through the crowd that the boys from Phoenix were in another part of the club DJing. Yes, spinning wax. Would they finish up that nonsense and come play us some songs? It was not to be.)
Even knowing they’re French, it’s easy to forget that when they sing in accent-less English. Being interviewed, however, brought it all home. Oui, oui. Surreal. They seem like nice enough guys, but that accent hits the ears like a nice aged Camembert hits the nose. Oof.
As they’ve made their way around the country, they’ve gone with an acoustic set up for shows like this. It’s worth a listen. I’ve got a video from another live studio performance below the fold.
