French group Phoenix's second album, Alphabetical, was ranked one of the best pop records of 2004 by many critics.
Comprising singer Thomas Mars, guitarist Christian Mazzalai, bassist Deck D'Arcy and keyboardist-cum-guitarist Laurent Brancowitz, the Parisian band started their career by playing cover songs by Hank Williams and Prince in bars. They then changed their name to Phoenix, and released a single on their own label Ghettoblaster.
It wasn't until their first long-play album United, released in 2001, that Phoenix began to get a feel for their own style - R&B-influenced yet 1980s-inspired synth pop.
Sung in English, instead of their mother tongue, French, Alphabetical opens with a bang - Everything is Everything is the kind of song that makes you want to get up on your feet and dance, no matter where you are; Run Run Run has a catchy melody with a simple and easy-to-remember musical arrangement; Love for Granted is a romantic ballad with lovely harmonies; (You Can't Blame it on) Anybody and Holdin' On Together are R&B dance tunes.
Phoenix's music is simple, well-structured and easy to listen to. You can play it over and over again without getting bored, or feeling passionately inspired.
