When French pop did the unthinkable and became cool, Phoenix found themselves on the ones to watch list. Disappointingly they never got off it. The carefree sunshine of their debut, 2000’s "United" had them tagged as post-club essentials and Air, Daft Punk and Modjo’s obvious successors. The sales figures disagreed.
In retrospect, "United" was a sweet album inflated to must have status by those searching for the next in the presumed long line of Gallic chart invaders. Its cute mix of ‘70s feelgood guitars, French electro and easy going Americana was infectious, but never really compelling. Its strongest asset was idyllic retro cool it implied not the songs it delivered.
It’s an assessment the Parisian quartet would probably agree with, considering they’ve spent the last four years plugging the gaps, dreaming up genuinely captivating melodies and fleshing out their off beat world with some much needed heart and soul. In "Alphabetical" they’ve not just delivered a superior follow-up but the quintessential lo-fi pop album.
Full of heat haze lethargy and sun scorched sing-alongs, it’s a resolutely romantic vision of the all American singer-songwriter as viewed through unmistakably French eyes. "Everything Is Everything"'s dusty plains acoustics shimmy to a chic disco groove. The country pickin’ "Run Run Run" comes with fusion synths and nonchalant house hand claps and "I’m An Actor" does low down and dirty with a fuzz pedal and pouting.
But it’s the typically French romance that’s "Alphabetical"’s ultimate triumph. That, at its smiliest moments, their cheer is cut with bitter melancholy, suggests a broken hearted soul covering up a whole world of pain. As "Victim Of The Crime" and "(You Can’t Blame It On) Anybody" confirm, there’s nothing quite as beautiful as tragic optimism.
If there is another invasion from across the Channel, Phoenix are ready to lead from the front. If there isn’t, then no matter; an album as good as this doesn’t need a bandwagon to ride on. And this time, it really is that good.
