Review: Phoenix, 'Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix'

Review: Phoenix, 'Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix'

Phoenix, 'Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix': Aidin Vaziri | Phoenix's fourth album delivers another half hour of lithe, tuneful pop that surges forward on "Miami Vice"-style synthesizer swells and Mars' crisp, vaporous voice. The best and brightest tracks, such as "Lisztomania," "1901" and "Girlfriend," sound as if they could have been lifted from the band's first album, "United," released nearly a decade ago, while the new disc's dreamy two-part centerpiece, "Love Like a Sunset," shows a clear, previously unheard Kraut-rock influence. It's a fine but unnecessary distraction from the fantastic retro rush. Continue reading.