To commemorate my failure to see Phoenix live in Minneapolis last Thursday, this week's album is the third studio release from everyone's favourite English-language French electronica-rock band. Yes folks, for those of you who may remember my glowing review of "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix," here is yet another one. Actually, I daresay this is the first band to have the honor of landing twice on the Album of the Week. So, I think you'll agree that congratulations are in order!
My starting point and frame of reference for listening to this album was the fabulous album previously referenced, that being "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix." That album was heavy on electronica and dance beats, combined with some unique use of percussion and guitar. Bottom line, it's a very unique sound, one that is very distinguishable from many other current groups. In contrast, "It's Never Been Like That" features much more prominent guitar work, although there is still some dance/electronica elements. The dance vibe is especially evident in "Consolation Prize," which is one of my favourite tracks on this disc.
Like I said though, I hear a lot more non-distorted guitar on this disc, and it comes off in a very crisp, appealing way. "One Time Too Many" is a good example of this sound, with the guitar coming off in a very crisp way. Almost completely opposite is the driving accompaniment in "Courtesy Laughs," where you almost feel hit on the head with heavy, accented downbeats. Although this relatively ham-handedness isn't quite what I expected from Phoenix, it really works on this particularly song, especially when combined with Thomas Mars' focused vocals.
From a broader point of view, one thing that Phoenix always seems to do quite well is to maintain a certain level of energy throughout not only their songs, but their entire albums. I mean, "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" practically has you on edge the entire time, and I think it's really hard to listen to it sitting still. "It's Never Been Like That" has that same sensibility, but in a different, more straightforward way. That's not to say that this is a boring album; in fact, that's far from the truth. But in listening to this in comparison with "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix," you definitely get the sense that this is a band on the cusp of revelation, like they're but a few steps away from greatness. I'd be very interested in getting some earlier Phoenix stuff, just to get a better sense of their sonic development.
Another thing I appreciate about this album is the inclusion of an all-instrumental number, "North." Too often I think, bands are consumed by the temptation of lyrics. After all, they have a vocalist to sing, and popular tastes demand it. So I really respect the inclusion of an instrumental number, although I must say, it lacks the sweeping quality of "Love Like a Sunset."
As you may guess, I love this band. I love "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix," and have literally been listening to it at least once a week since February. I still don't get tired of it. I'm always going to judge any music by Phoenix against that album, so I'm definitely skewed in terms of what I expect from them. This album was a pleasant surprise, although I'd lie if I said I was instantly taken with it. Like I said, I think it's an excellent portrait of a band on the brink of truly finding themselves from an artistic standpoint. It could stand alone on that, as a historical relic. However, I think it also stands by itself as great music.
Verdict? Highly recommended.
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