I'm a little miffed at Phoenix for joining the throngs of bands these days who are migrating toward a more "unique" sound, namely that of new wave or synth pop. Oh wait, everyone is doing it, so it's not really unique! Thankfully, they have done so in the name of what they call experimentation, so what they've created is really just a brasher sound and not as clean as we are used to from the Versailles, France indie pop/rock group. Arriving for real on April 23rd on Glassnote Records, Bankrupt! is Phoenix's fifth studio album, and it is really interesting to see where they have come from in terms of sound since their first album, United (2000), though one cannot help but wonder if they are really trying to cater their sound to themselves or the populous at large.
Many blog posts I've read claim that Bankrupt! isn't much different in sound and format than their previous two albums, It's Never Been Like That (2006) and Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (2009), while I beg to differ. They have clearly slowed down their tempos, introduced a lot of Asian inspired sounds and scales (pentatonic, or five note scales, namely), while not actually using Asian instruments--mainly synths, and bolstered up the obnoxious nature for which percussion is obviously capable. One example of this is the single, "Entertainment" (check out the very beginning), and another track, "Drakkar Noir", which does have some interesting meter/tempo changes. Admittedly, I do still hear that typical harpsichord timbre they are famous for, but it isn't used in so much a baroque pop style this time around. It is flourish and background. One song it is used a lot on is the slow build up, "Love Like a Sunset" and "North", type song, "Bankrupt!"--the title track on the album.
Maybe I'm just suffering from four years of hype leading up to Bankrupt!, but I feel like the result has left my ears bankrupt. Most of this album is a wash of synths and loud percussion. I almost didn't want to write it up at all. If you enjoy it more than me, or it grows on me, do let me know and I'll let you know also. For now, my favorite track on the album would probably be "Burgeois" or "Bankrupt!" just because they are not as brash. They have even an epic-ness to them. Overall, Phoenix lost their energy trying to do something different or artistic, just like The Strokes have been known to do here and there.
You'll have to listen to this one yourself, don't take my word for it, I am opposedly a cynic when it comes to new wave and all I hear on the radio lately is synth pop. I'm just tired of it and need bands to be themselves, truly. So, listen to the entire album on iTunes, here. You might need to open your own iTunes application to find it if this link doesn't work for you. Or just take a glance into Bankrupt! by listening to the only track I could find streaming from their SoundCloud, "Entertainment", over under the 'Monthly Sample Tracks'. Hope you enjoy more than I did!
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