Phoenix

Bankrupt! (Glassnote)

“1901” was released as a single on Feb. 23, 2009. On Dec. 19, it entered the Billboard Hot 100 at a modest No. 90. It’s been a slow climb, but nothing halts Phoenix. The French quartet’s fifth album, Bankrupt! will inevitably be judged in the shadow of Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix‘s underdog glory, and if nothing else, it’s a very professional follow-up. Guitars are ultraviolet, synths are set to buzzsaw, and everything’s freshly doused with blood. The sputtering, Pandora’s box blast of “Entertainment” might be the single most expensive thing this band has ever recorded, and the watery, punch-drunk “Chloroform” and Tangerine Dream-citing title track also thrill. Does anything come close to the prize-winning likes of “1901” or “Lisztomania”? No, and that can’t help but feel a little disappointing. (7pm, Bud Light stage)

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This article appears in October 4 • 2013.

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