It's Never Been Like That

Phoenix | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 23, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Astralwerks
• ASIN: B000FC2FVA
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,009 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #94 in Music > Alternative Rock > Indie & Lo-Fi > Electronic Pop

Track Listings

1. Napoleon Says

2. Consolation Prizes

3. Rally

4. Long Distance Call

5. One Time Too Many

6. Lost and Found

7. Courtesy Laughs

8. North

9. Sometimes in the Fall

10. Second to None

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Warning: Even limited exposure to this French band's music is liable to turn the listener into a crazed zealot desperate to "just turn people on" to their music or to wander about aimlessly wondering aloud why they're not at least as well known as, say, Erlend Oye. The band's been relentlessly eclectic since they formed in the late '90s; they make hybrid music, an electronic-flavored rock that's impossible to describe without using up half a dozen hyphens in the process. It's their most straight-ahead, "rock"-sounding release, and if your first thought is that it wouldn't hurt if It's Never Been Like That had a little bit more of a cocaine disco unicorn vibe to it, give it another listen. This record is an effortless-sounding, mini-masterpiece that mixes art song elements with delightful retro-pop. And it's scary how simply and truly great it is--easily amongst the best albums of 2006. --Mike McGonigal

Product Description

Third album from French indie rock band, who rose to prominence when their track, 'Too Young' (from their debut album, United), was featured on the soundtrack to 'Lost In Translation'. EMI. 2006. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than the sum of their parts, October 19, 2006

By 

D. Jackson (Melbourne, VIC, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: It's Never Been Like That (Audio CD)

Having followed Phoenix's discography along with Air, Tahiti 80, Zoot Woman, and a long list of other French bands that I found from links that traced back to Daft Punk, I suddenly find them in a class higher above -- and all their own -- compared to many of their ilk.

This is an amazing album, from start to finish. Previous releases "United" and "Alphabetical" were fantasic albums, too, but their ambition outweighed their purpose. That sounds like it might be a good thing, and in many ways it was, but the frailty of "their sound" meant that the textures were always shifting, different from song to song, in a way that kept them from feeling whole.

With "It's Never Been Like That" Phoenix have found their legs to stand on, and developed a sound that manages to evoke all that they've ever been, but at the same time remain completely themselves. This isn't mood music, or something to leave in the background. This is joyous, celebratory, "sing along with your window rolled down" driving music.

This album is rock and pop, get up and dance, sit down and nod. It's everything music should be, played with breathless enthusiasm, yet somehow seeming effortless. Though I risk over-selling it to the point of disappointment, I'm willing to take that risk. These songs will plant their hooks into your brain, and you won't want them to leave.

Key tracks:

+ Consolation Prizes
+ Courtesy Laughs
+ Sometimes In The Fall

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING!!! - THE ALBUM OF THE YEAR 2006..., December 26, 2006

By 

A.S.M. 75 (EDISON, NEW JERSEY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It's Never Been Like That (Audio CD)

Well folks, this is a long overdue review of a record that needs its rightful recognition. Simply put, this should be the album of the year for 2006 (not "Return To Cookie Mountain" by TV On The Radio). This disc is packed full of the kind of rhythms and melodies that will keep you going back to it year after year. "It's Never Been Like That" is one of those rare albums that are great from beginning to end. I am a (still young) high school teacher and have played some of the songs for a few students and they've all reacted positively to what they heard. Questions like why don't they play Phoenix on the radio? and do they have other records? were being asked. As a teacher, I have summer months off from work and I travel to Italy for most of the summer. "It's Never Been Like That" quickly became the soundtrack of the summer for my wife and I. I highly recommend this album and feel confident that you won't be disappointed. As always, allow every album the opportunity to grow on you and I promise you that this album will be one that you keep going back to year after year.
Getting back to my comment about "Return To Cookie Mountain"... I am personally startled that this disc by TV On The Radio is as highly praised by critics and fans as it is. I commented that you should allow an album to grow on you in order to fully understand it and appreciate it, but after more than 10 times listening to "Return To Cookie Mountain", I an still wondering how it is possible that quality albums like "It's Never Been Like That" could get overshadowed by that album.

ENJOY PHOENIX!!!

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Phoenix rises: Bizarre lyrics, chaotic but fun pop characterize Phoenix's latest studio release.., May 23, 2006

By 

A. G. Corwin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: It's Never Been Like That (Audio CD)

After a 18 month break after the release of LIVE: Thirty Days Ago, French indie pop-rockers Phoenix return with their new studio album, It's Never Been Like That. Filled with a somewhat chaotic mix of quirky and progressive pop rock, Phoenix offers an album sure to please existing fans of the band.

The album kicks off with the randomly bizarre but surprisingly growing track, Napoleon Says. Nonsensical lyrics like "Napoleon says to take off your coat, Take off your long johns too" combined with random melodies and a solid guitar lead makes for a song that gets better with repeated listens. Consolation Prizes, Lost and Found, and One Time Too Many are the most commercial sounding tracks on the albums, offering lyrics like "my heart is waiting for a new you..and there is no other option on the schedule" with smooth guitar chords and supportive bass lines complementing the melodies.

Long Distance Call and Rally are the most creatively different tracks, filled with random chord and melody changes and jazzy guitar sounds. North is a nice instrumental that just grooves along, and is my favorite track on the album. Courtesy Laughs is another standard mid-tempo song, with Thomas Mars sounding effortlessly cool, while Sometimes In The Fall has a surprisingly addictive chorus. Closing track Second To None sounds extremely fresh and makes for a great ending track.

Phoenix aren't breaking any musical barriers with this record, nor attempting to reinvent the wheel. They tend to stick with their familiar sounds, only occasionally veering off into new territory, but doing all of it with a simplicity that suits them well. The 10 tracks deliver the type of pop that fans of the band have come to expect. Clocking in at just under 42 minutes, this is a relatively quick album, and one that probably needs more than several listens to really delve into the quirkiness that is the band's hallmark. Ultimately though, this an album equally at home on your stereo or blasting from your car speakers.

A.G. Corwin
St. Louis, MO