Phoenix -- Alphabetical

Alphabetical is the second album from this French Electronic Rock Band. You may know these guys from having a song in the movie Lost in Translation, or also as being buddies with the group Air. The hit song of this album is the second track "Run Run Run" which is actually ow I had heard about the band, I liked the song off of a promotional cd I got, and then a friend had the album on his harddrive and let me snag it. Besides Run Run Run, the first half of the cd just sounds like any newer cd now a days, until "(You Can Blame It On) Anybody", which isn't all that great but it does sound a little bit like ABBA which is sort of interesting. "If It's Not With You" is a catchy song near the end of the cd which feels like they're trying to add an element of R&B to their song. The final track "Alphabetical" about halfway into the song, started doing something different that shocked me, but then after about 3 seconds the song went back to normal. This album really feels like a band trying too hard to be a band that incorporates ABBA influences and really comes up short. The other big problem with this cd is it comes in at a measly 30 minutes, and that includes a hidden track after 4 minutes of nothing, and what is the hidden track? A one minute interlude type song with a couple notes going back and forth. Basically "Run Run Run" is the only decent song on the whole cd, and it isn't even a really great song, just good.

Don't waste your time on this one. If you want something like this that actually sounds good go with Air. Most of the songs even annoyed me at how dull and bland they were. I can't believe it but I'm giving this cd my lowest score yet. .5 out of 4 stars. .5 for one decent song. Hopefully their other album is better then this one. Blimey.