Phoenix—“Bankrupt!”
8.5 out of 10

 By Jackson Santy ’13
THE ROUNDUP

In 2009, the French indie-pop group Phoenix stormed on the music scene with their album “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.”

Featuring notable songs such as “Liztomania,” “Lasso” and their most well-known track “1901,” Phoenix began their climb to fame.

The band is notable for its combination of synthesized dance-pop and glam rock.

Four years later, the band is releasing their fourth album “Bankrupt!” that should solidify the place in the music world they made with “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.”

Recently and prior to the release of “Bankrupt!” I was lucky enough to attend Phoenix’s concert here in town.

Playing songs from previous albums, full of the energy they are known so well for, the band also featured a selection of songs from their new album.

The album’s leading track, “Entertainment,” is this album’s “1901;” it is sure to get the most airplay and notoriety.

Otherwise the album lacks other instant hits.

Or for those who don’t understand the comparison, “Entertainment” is the track that listeners in the future will remember the album for, thus what “1901” was for the former album.

But is this lacking such a bad thing?

Just because it lacks chart toppers, doesn’t mean the remaining content is abysmal.

“Bankrupt!” is consistent and cohesive, laying out a balanced array of tracks, none of which surpass each other.

The album is warm and familiar to longtime fans of the band, not straying away from their distinct style but still adding freshness.

While listening to the album as well as seeing them perform live, one word kept swimming in my head as the tracks progressed—fun.

It’s as simple as that.

“Bankrupt!” is fun music, it’s music that you hear at a laid back party or in a commercial that peaks your interest and leaves you not with a dire craving but a quiet sensation to want to listen to more.

“Bankrupt!” receives an 8.5 because of its smooth succession of “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix” and it’s song -to- song consistency.