Alphabetical [VINYL]

Amazon.co.uk Fans of uber-cool Phoenix will rejoice that global indifference to their last album hasn't prompted any major changes. On Alphabetica, their second attempt to revive the soft AM rockisms of a bygone era, the mood remains pretty much the same. To be fair, there is progression of sorts--songs are of a better quality and production values as slick as they come--but what are this enigmatic French band really all about? If you were trying to paint a descriptive picture, then their lead singer's voice would top your list of adjectives. Blended against crème fraîche harmonies and treated with subtle filters, it straddles each song with enough personality to carry the project, although you can't help feeling stronger melodies might have helped. For comparisons think Ben Folds Five, Hall & Oates, Eels even. There's even a hint of Dean Freidman in there somewhere, but that's no bad thing. Nothing here is going to set the charts alight, although in an ideal world "Everything Is Everything" is the sort of tune that should be trouncing its clichéd peers. Still, as the backdrop to a romantic rendezvous or a soundtrack to weekend introspection, this is well worth cocking an ear to. --Paul Tierney Product description Sophisticated 'n' seamless 2004 album from the French slick pop supremos! Includes "Run Run Run" and "Everything Is Everything".