Last post of the year (at least from me; I know not what end-of-the-year hijinx RJR has planned), so this one counts. I would have written this sooner had I known that so few people had heard of this band. Phoenix have been around for a long time, though in various different instantiations. Hailing from Paris (yes, they are French despite the absence of an impenetrable accent), they have been around for nearly two decades. Guitarist Laurent Brancowitz has roots in the rock band Darlin', whose other members have since risen to international acclaim - Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo (that's right, of Daft Punk fame). Phoenix has cranked out consistently stellar albums, including their most recent in 2006, the positively awesome "It's Never Been Like That". 2004's "Alphabetical" was a hip-hop infused indie rock album that didn't get the acclaim it deserved, and "It's Never Been Like That" showed the usually meticulously prepared outfit throwing their caution to the wind and writing and arranging every song in the studio, giving everything a sparse, improvisatory quality unlike anything they'd ever done.
Basically, I could go on for a while about this band, but I'll spare you. Let me just say this. Make it a point to discover this band in 2008 - I'd say they're about due for a new album this year, and by all indications, it will be something special.
