Punknews.org LogoPunknews.org

Sign In | create an account

 
Phoenix - It's Never Been Like That (Cover Artwork)

Phoenix

It's Never Been Like That (2006)
EMI Group

Reviewer Rating:


Contributed by: Matt Whelihan
(
others by this writer | submit your own
)


Published on September 29th 2006


Maybe I’ve just been watching too much Yacht Rock lately, but when listening to Phoenix’s It’s Never Been Like That I couldn’t help but think of the word smooth. Of course this isn’t smooth in the Doobie Brothers or Steely Dan sense, but smooth in a hip studio savvy way. Each track is like a Sunday drive with no bumps in the road. You can just set that shit on cruise control and enjoy the scenery, because Phoenix aren’t going to be producing any potholes or animal carcasses. Instead, each song is compact and precise in its delivery. The momentum never wavers as each instrument rings out ultra clear and unobtrusive.

Then come the vocals.

You can’t have a smooth album without some laid back and well-executed singing and Phoenix deliver in that department. The melodies are immediate and inviting as they glide over the funk-by-way-of-pop album sound leaving you feeling like vocalist Thomas Mars is sitting shotgun and telling you about his week.

If anything holds It’s Never Been Like That back it is Phoenix’s lack of diversity. Besides the George Michael stomp of “Consolation Prizes,” the Hall and Oates soul of “Long Distance Call,” and the instrumental interlude in “North” every song is based around the same stuttering up-tempo pop. In other words, if you don’t like one Phoenix song, you probably won’t like any Phoenix song, a problem that could make listening to It’s Never Been Like a bit difficult. Still, if you are in the market for some lighter fare that is head bobbing, catchy, and of course smooth, Phoenix is well worth a listen.



People who liked this also liked:
Fleet Foxes - Helplessness BluesAgainst Me! - Crime as Forgiven ByThe Gaslight Anthem - Sink or SwimFake Problems - How Far Our Bodies GoFake Problems - Spurs and Spokes / Bull > MatadorThe Shins - Wincing the Night AwayAgainst Me! - Searching For A Former ClarityAgainst Me! - is Reinventing Axl RoseThe Shins - Chutes Too NarrowAgainst Me! - As The Eternal Cowboy

Please login or register to post comments.
What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
  • Share your opinion by posting comments on the stories that interest you
  • Rate music and bands and help shape the weekly top ten
  • Let Punknews.org use your ratings to help you find bands and albums you might like
  • Customize features on the site to get the news the way you want.
    SilentStorms (October 1, 2006)

    I saw this review and thought HOLY SHIT someone actually reviewed Phoenix Bodies. My bad.

    crippledmark (October 1, 2006)

    Such a good record.

    Anonymous (September 30, 2006)

    I agree that it's all in the same style and there's not a lot of diversity (except for the instrumental track), but I don't agree with the 3 stars. I hate one song, you hate the album, but if you love songs like this (like I do), you love the whole album. Song after song with really catchy and beautiful melodies. Yes, really smooth, but so what.

    Anonymous (September 30, 2006)

    Only stupid bastards help EMI

    mikeinflames (September 29, 2006)

    the song about napolean had me tapping my foot
    but other than that this album is fairly drawn out and boring
    but most art rock is

    Sir_Tam (September 29, 2006)

    This album is pretty nice. Its a little boring after a while but otherwise quite fun.

    Features

    Exclusive Streams

    Newest Reviews

    Punknews.org Team

    Managing Editor

    Adam White

    News Editors

    Kira Wisniewski
    Brittany Strummer
    Andrew Waterfield
    Katy Hardy
    Matthew Baldwin
    Armando Olivas
    John Flynn

    Video Editor

    Chris Moran

    Social Media Editor

    Justin August

    Copy Editor

    Amelia Cline

    Reviews Editor

    Joe Pelone

    Interviews Editor

    Richard Verducci

    Publisher

    Aubin Paul

    ISSN 1710-5366



    © Copyright 1999-2012 Punknews.org



    Other Places to Go

    Punknews.org Flickr Pool