Phoenix / Bankrupt!
| Album: | Bankrupt! | Collection: | General | |
| Artist: | Phoenix | Added: | May 2013 | |
| Label: | Glassnote Entertaiment | |||
A-File Activity
| Add Date: | 2013-07-28 | Pull Date: | 2013-09-29 |
|---|
| Week Ending: | Sep 29 | Sep 22 | Sep 15 | Sep 8 | Sep 1 | Aug 25 | Aug 18 | Aug 11 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airplays: | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
Recent Airplay
| 1. | Dec 19, 2023: | Eclectic Circus
Don't |
4. | Dec 08, 2023: | Eclectic Circus
Bourgeois |
|
| 2. | Dec 16, 2023: | Eclectic Circus
Trying To Be Cool |
5. | Jun 13, 2014: | Time Traveler
Bankrupt! |
|
| 3. | Dec 13, 2023: | Eclectic Circus
Bankrupt! |
6. | May 23, 2014: | Time Traveler
Drakkar Noir |
Album Review
Francis Dickerson
Reviewed 2013-07-26
Reviewed 2013-07-26
“Bankrupt!” Phoenix
Indie synth pop that suggests summer like a popsicle. Relies on lead singer Thomas Mars’ ability to effortlessly shift from his normal vocal range to a falsetto and back as he trips lightly through the melodies. I have no idea what the reference to “Bankrupt!” is — with the band headlining one show after another, the band members’ bankbooks have to be healthier than ever!
— Francis
Recommended: 9, 1, 3, 10, and 2. No FCCs.
1. (3:40) Entertainment — Asian-influenced keyboards. Galloping drums. Bright vocals. Swelling synth waves. The 1st single ***
2. (3:23) The Real Thing — Mid-tempo. Mars’ lead vocals flow effortlessly between his normal vocal range and falsetto. Synths echo the vocals and build into a wall of sound near the end. **
3. (3:43) S.O.S. in Bel Air — Another high-energy tune galloping along. Fast-to-slow changes. Synths are intricately layered to deliver the precise sounds required — from playful loops to telegraph-like sounds in chorus. ***
4. (3:48) Trying to be Cool — Easy-going groove really mimics an 80s vibe. Some guy strutting his stuff as he heads to a club on another weekend, bolstered by his “mint julep testosterone.”
5. (6:57) Bankrupt! — Epic length. Performed in three parts. 1) Tinkly bed and flute-like tones over thumping drum; 2) Waves of distortion clash as the tinkling bells become more urgent; 3) Tension resolves and Mars’ resigned, melancholy vocals seem to be about divorce. Worth playing to see if you like it.
6. (3:22) Drakkar Noir — Straight-ahead, 1980s electro-pop. Swirling synths. Banging drums are added about two-thirds of the way through.
7. (4:05) Chloroform — Note progression echoes previous track, but at much slower tempo. Lots of synth layers. Fuzzy synth bass under. Resolves to brighter ending.
8. (3:16) Don’t — Bouncy, catchy, up-tempo indie pop. Varied dynamics and fast-to-slow shifts in typical Phoenix style.
9. (4:53) Bourgeois — Starts with a little noise (a lighter?) and then a very slow fade in. Electro-tinged power pop. Great changes in dynamics. Strong vocals. ***
10. (3:31) Oblique City — Bright, up-tempo tune with busy synth shifts and a slight Cars’ feel. Synth layers build to a wall of sound in the choruses **
Indie synth pop that suggests summer like a popsicle. Relies on lead singer Thomas Mars’ ability to effortlessly shift from his normal vocal range to a falsetto and back as he trips lightly through the melodies. I have no idea what the reference to “Bankrupt!” is — with the band headlining one show after another, the band members’ bankbooks have to be healthier than ever!
— Francis
Recommended: 9, 1, 3, 10, and 2. No FCCs.
1. (3:40) Entertainment — Asian-influenced keyboards. Galloping drums. Bright vocals. Swelling synth waves. The 1st single ***
2. (3:23) The Real Thing — Mid-tempo. Mars’ lead vocals flow effortlessly between his normal vocal range and falsetto. Synths echo the vocals and build into a wall of sound near the end. **
3. (3:43) S.O.S. in Bel Air — Another high-energy tune galloping along. Fast-to-slow changes. Synths are intricately layered to deliver the precise sounds required — from playful loops to telegraph-like sounds in chorus. ***
4. (3:48) Trying to be Cool — Easy-going groove really mimics an 80s vibe. Some guy strutting his stuff as he heads to a club on another weekend, bolstered by his “mint julep testosterone.”
5. (6:57) Bankrupt! — Epic length. Performed in three parts. 1) Tinkly bed and flute-like tones over thumping drum; 2) Waves of distortion clash as the tinkling bells become more urgent; 3) Tension resolves and Mars’ resigned, melancholy vocals seem to be about divorce. Worth playing to see if you like it.
6. (3:22) Drakkar Noir — Straight-ahead, 1980s electro-pop. Swirling synths. Banging drums are added about two-thirds of the way through.
7. (4:05) Chloroform — Note progression echoes previous track, but at much slower tempo. Lots of synth layers. Fuzzy synth bass under. Resolves to brighter ending.
8. (3:16) Don’t — Bouncy, catchy, up-tempo indie pop. Varied dynamics and fast-to-slow shifts in typical Phoenix style.
9. (4:53) Bourgeois — Starts with a little noise (a lighter?) and then a very slow fade in. Electro-tinged power pop. Great changes in dynamics. Strong vocals. ***
10. (3:31) Oblique City — Bright, up-tempo tune with busy synth shifts and a slight Cars’ feel. Synth layers build to a wall of sound in the choruses **
Track Listing
| 1. | Entertainment | 6. | Drakkar Noir | |||
| 2. | The Real Thing | 7. | Chloroform | |||
| 3. | S.O.S. In Bel Air | 8. | Don't | |||
| 4. | Trying To Be Cool | 9. | Bourgeois | |||
| 5. | Bankrupt! | 10. | Oblique City |