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Phoenix
Contrary to what Daily Mail readers say, France has produced a lot. Good cheese and waiters who spit in your hair if you ask for your steak well-cooked. But pop music hasn't necessarily been their thing, that is until now. Save for lead vocalist Thomas Mars's slight French twang and a sprinkling of euro-beats "It's Never Been Like That" Phoenix's third album, (after 2000's United and 2004's Alphabetical) sounds like Steely Dan have returned after a long holiday with the Magic Numbers. In fact, the album's opener "Napolean Says" is perhaps the only obviously Gallic reference. More easy listening and catchy numbers come in the form of "Courtesy Laughs" and "One Time Too Many", whilst "Rally" wouldn't sound out of place on the duke box in an episode of Happy Days. The band's first single "Long Distance Call" is perhaps their most resoundingly "Phoenix", with its understated keyboards like a slice of the finest French Camembert, it's soft simple and damn morish.
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www.myspace.com/wearephoenix