Phoenix - Bankrupt!

Versailles, France's preeminent alt rock sensations Phoenix are back with their highly anticipated, brand new studio album titled Bankrupt! The follow up to 2010's Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix finds the French rockers continuing to bring their electro infused vibe, but hit at a much different angle and wavelength like their predecessor did, aiming to create a more streamlined and stratospheric sound that defines who they are as a band and as individual musicians.

The disc starts off with the album's first single "Entertainment", a wondrous, synth infused delight that reacquaints you with the lead vocals of Thomas Mars, who adds a distinct element to every Phoenix song that can be heard in one form or another on all of their material predating the Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix era. "S.O.S. in Bel Air" adds a more complex, layered touch to the album that amps up the velocity on the electro side, and blends that in with the band's standard issue guitar riffs that present a band able to adapt to the ever changing musical climate currently out there today, and represent a true artistic and creative direction for the band that gives them some clout as well in the process. "Trying To Be Cool" is an aural, toned down delight that perfectly accentuates Thomas's vocals, and brings everything down a notch to highlight the band's well thought out diversity previously displayed in the prior tracks, and also continues to peel away at the different layers of the album that give a little something for everyone. "Drakkar Noir" strikes the perfect balance and harmony with an synth-rock lovers delight that highlights all the band members individual talents, and puts that on a musical pedestal for all to take notice of and just stand in awe to be in their collective presence right in front of you.

We ease into the album's second half with "Chloroform", my favorite track off the album that has an 80's, old school feel to it with the synthesizers set to 11 on this one, and thoroughly showcasing the band's unique and wide ranging talents, which have always been exhibited to the highest degree on all of their studio releases up until this point. The disc begins to wind down on "Bourgeois", a mellow, laid-back tune that allows us to take a break from the uptempo, electronic wavelengths we heard earlier on the album, and shows off the diversity of the group as well and their ability to dabble in other genres of music with terrific aplomb. "Oblique City" closes out the album with an electro infused treat, and Thomas's vocals once again providing the backdrop for a well rehearsed and composed track that ties all the songs together, and also offers up a brief synopsis for those who may have just tuned in to the album. I always knew Phoenix were on the fast track to success when I first heard "1901" and "Lizstomania" from their prior effort Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, and introduced a new blend of alternative rock that is slowly starting to take ahold of the scene these days and is becoming the norm, something which I wholeheartedly support as the whole genre is in desperate need of a makeover these days.

All in all, a respectable and well executed effort from Phoenix, who are making their presence known as one of alt-rock's most promising bands with this dazzling effort that thoroughly encapsulates the sound that the band had intended to create when heading into the studio.

                                                                                                                           Album Score: 3.5/5

Track Listing:

1. Entertainment
2. The Real Thing
3. S.O.S. in Bel Air
4. Trying to Be Cool
5. Bankrupt!
6. Drakkar Noir
7. Chloroform
8. Don't
9. Bourgeois
10. Oblique City