Attorneys of Phoenix

United

Description

The debut album for French act which includes the single 'Too Young'. The Face magazine said, 'Undoubtedly the best post-French house, seventies Californian, country-rock concept album of modern love songs you'll ever likely to hear.' 2000release. Standard jewel case.

"Heatwave," the funk-flavored track on the 1999 compilation Source Rocks, suggested Phoenix were another product of the French-filtered disco wave. However, United is suffused with breezy, retro-flavored rock numbers. Keyboard player and guitarist Branco was in Darlin--the indie act that spawned Daft Punk--but if they went one way, he surely went the other. United is reminiscent of West Coast American FM pop rock, with nods to everyone from Crosby Stills Nash & Young to "Jump"-era Van Halen. The thrilling "Too Young" and swooning "On Fire" are rattling good pop songs that fall on the right side of affectionate pastiche. "Summertime" is an enthusiastic power pop thrash, "Embuscade" a Steely Dan-styled jazz rock instrumental, and "Summerdays" a carefree country-tinged trip to the beach. Refreshing, intelligent and successful French rock--now that is a first. --Mike Pattenden

Reviews

Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2009-06-11
Summary: "The early phoenix i fell in love with"

The moment i heard this album, i was in such a ecstatic state. It was entertaining beoynd words. I fell in love instantly. It was just what i was looking for. Not pretentuos, just free spirited and boyish. Even though the later albums lost the carefree form that is such a characteristic of this album and alhabetical, i still have them as one of my favs. If you really want to know phoenix for what they are(or were), this and alphabetical should hook you up. It's up to you if you like the later two albums.

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Rating: 4 / 5
Date: 2006-01-07
Summary: "A weird mix between rock, pop and dance music - this is actually kind've good if you're a pop fan, but most people won't like it"

Pheonix is weird mix of rock and dance music which are both present occasionally. Most of the album is pretty catchy albeit cheesy and a guilty pleasure (I don't think you would show this album to your friends - see songs like "On Fire" especially), so at least there's something to hold your interest. Thomas Mars has a relatively pleasant voice, but he will definitely alienate some people as he's distinctly poppy (as opposed to, say, Nada Surf's singer who is poppy but still manages to be very likable). There are no bad songs here (though they're all forgettable), even if a couple of them are just "alright". There's a hint of 70's disco in some of these songs, especially the beginning of "Embuscade". "Definitive Breaks" is really the only song on the album that MOST people will like. The lyrics are nothing of interest - they're simply an excuse to have vocals. It's not a bad album - if you like the style and singer then you will find that it's simply "good". Pop fans might like this. Slighty recommended.

Highlights include:
"School's Rules"
"Too Young"
"On Fire"
"Definite Breaks"
the rest are pretty decent

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Rating: 4 / 5
Date: 2005-10-21
Summary: "Everyone who ever hears "Too Young" wants a copy"

Phoenix is the band with a stupid name whose creativity is not further delimited by the stupid title ("United") of this collection of infectious pop songs.

The stand out song here is "Too Young" clocking in at three minutes and nineteen seconds of pure pop bliss with a nearly percussive organ part that drives the back beat and recalls the early work of Steve Nieve in "The Attractions." The lead guitar is a tight funky riff that is nearly lo-fi, while the drum parts themselves are executed on a small kit but are a deceptively intricate combination of a shuffle and disco beat, that serve as an alternate lead. The only instruments tying together these competing forces are a some long slow chime strokes of a steel string acoustic rhythm guitar part and a bass part straight out of the power pop song book.

The vocals on "Too Young" are the standout: pure garage band sounds that cross "The Archies" with a sober Paul Westerberg.

The rest of the album makes for an effective selection of cross genre efforts that show off the band's versatility and taste, but nothing else really matches the standout single here.

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Rating: 1 / 5
Date: 2005-05-10
Summary: "I feel dirty!"

When I heard this album I felt violated, but not in a good way... it conjured thoughts of seedy 70's night clubs with tight leather pants being the compulsory dress code...

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Rating: 5 / 5
Date: 2005-03-06
Summary: "TRULY a work of genius"

This album is the greatest thing to emerge in music in the past 5 years. Phoenix is by far THE BEST pop-rock-tronica group out there. Pick up "United" now.