Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

Q - 4 stars out of 5 -- "It may be oversimplifying to invoke the spirit of Radiohead, but this could be Phoenix's OK Computer and Kid A rolled into one." Pitchfork - "[T]he album's 10 songs are arranged and executed with virtuoso pop-rock precision....Its unflappable sonic sheen gives WOLFGANG some winsome 80s nostalgia..." Spin - "These arch Frenchmen make precision-tooled pop that somehow retains a sense of urgency and playfulness -- an impressive balancing act..." Rolling Stone - 4 stars out of 5 -- "The 10 songs are sleek and clean....'Fences' spikes the electro beat of Daft Punk with an urgent acoustic-guitar breakdown for splendidly danceable melancholy." Entertainment Weekly - "[T]he Versailles-bred foursome actually possess one of the purest pop aesthetics on either side of the Atlantic....The underlying vibe is both retro and somehow outside of time..." -- Grade: A- Alternative Press - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[A]n absolute blast, rich in ringing guitar and euphoric synths....The expansive, two-part 'Love Like A Sunset' evokes strains of '70s prog-disco." Paste - "Thomas Mars sings with the urgency of Of Montreal's Kevin Barnes, and his band plays with a Killers-like accessibility." Billboard - "The group has polished its '60s-rock-revivalist sound to near perfection, but keeps expanding its aural palette, experimenting with layered rhythms and sonic textures." CMJ - "The band's brand of glamorous electronic-tinged pop is mixed with twee plinks here and there, supplemented with airy keys and a futuristic spaceship feel that will be pleasing to both clubbers and concert-goers alike." Spin - Ranked #3 in Spin's "40 Best Albums Of 2009" -- "Urgent guitar pop and buoyant melodies cohabited brilliantly with Euro-disco propulsion..." Rolling Stone (p.72) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "The 10 songs are sleek and clean....'Fences' spikes the electro beat of Daft Punk with an urgent acoustic-guitar breakdown for splendidly danceable melancholy." Spin (p.94) - "These arch Frenchmen make precision-tooled pop that somehow retains a sense of urgency and playfulness -- an impressive balancing act..." Entertainment Weekly (p.62) - "[T]he Versailles-bred foursome actually possess one of the purest pop aesthetics on either side of the Atlantic....The underlying vibe is both retro and somehow outside of time..." -- Grade: A- Alternative Press (p.130) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[A]n absolute blast, rich in ringing guitar and euphoric synths....The expansive, two-part 'Love Like A Sunset' evokes strains of '70s prog-disco." Q (Magazine) (p.130) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "It may be oversimplifying to invoke the spirit of Radiohead, but this could be Phoenix's OK Computer and Kid A rolled into one." Paste (magazine) (p.53) - "Thomas Mars sings with the urgency of Of Montreal's Kevin Barnes, and his band plays with a Killers-like accessibility." Pitchfork (Website) - "[T]he album's 10 songs are arranged and executed with virtuoso pop-rock precision....Its unflappable sonic sheen gives WOLFGANG some winsome 80s nostalgia..."

'Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix' is the fourth studio album by French band Phoenix. Formed in 1999, they were part of the 'French Invasion' of the late nineties which included bands such as Air and Daft Punk. With their easy blend of dance and guitars, this album is as breezy and inventive as any of their other three albums but this time there's an added dose of Parisian sophistication and charm. Includes the single 'Lisztomania'.|

ベルサイユ出身の4人組、フェニックスの3年ぶりとなる新作はカシアスのフィリップ・ズダールが共同プロデュースを担当。ということで、当然ながらエレクトロニカな美的感覚に長けているのだが、同時にロック・バンドとしての閃きも随所に感じさせる、ロマンティックでメランコリックな作品となっている。即効性やルーツを求める人にとっては猫パンチのように捉えどころのないサウンドかもしれないけど、車窓から景色を楽しむかのように身を任せれば、心地良いアトモスフィアにたっぷり浸れるはず。その点では、バンドと何かと縁深く、トーマス・マーズ（ヴォーカル）との間に女児も誕生したソフィア・コッポラの映画と同じ系譜と言えなくもないような……。要は感性で聴けってことでしょう。
bounce (C)村上ひさし