Customer Reviews

United

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Quite simply amazing. Forget all the hype around The Strokes, White Stripes and anyone else this is classic retro-style, summer drenched rock that makes you wanna put the top down and drive. Every song on here is there for a reason. This is one of them cd's that you can listen to over and over and never get bored. Its amazing to think that previous members formed the equally fantastic daft punk, however Phoenix have taken a different route - stand out tracks (although all are good include 'If I ever feel better' also check out its remixes aviable on the single, the uptempo 'Too Young,' the chilled 'Summer days' and the rocking 'Party Time.' Buy it you won't regret it, I promise its like nothing you've heard before! They are also awesome live so catch them if you can!

This is definitely one of my favorite albums of all time.
As a dj, I Discovered it like many others trough the single 'If I Ever Feel Better' who was remixed by the big names of French House.
It is the perfect CD to listen at home while having a drink with friends or alone.
If I Ever Feel Better, Too Young and Honeymoon are 80s style melancholic electro-pop masterpiece, while some tracks like 'School Rules'are more on the rock edge.
Funky Squaredance is the secret highlight of the album for me, three songs in one.
I was also very surprised to see that Thomas Bangalter (Daft Punk, Stardust, Roule and Irreversible) was playing keyboards for the band.
A must-buy!

Wow after stumbling across Phoenix in the Farrelly brothers classic comedy "Shallow Hal", I just had to get it. Not only does 'United' contain the instant classics of 'Too Young' and Summer Days' as featured in the film, but as other reviews have mentioned,every track is a winner. A fine example where less is more... Oh if only Smashing Pumpkins had done the same with Mellon Collie..., it could have been one of the best albums of the 90's. Anyway I digress. Back to the vangaurd of the new wave retro French pop that is bubbling up here Down Under. DaftPunk, very innovative. Tahiti 80 are very similar to Phoenix and their album is definitely in the same vein as United. Sublime, exquisitely crafted pop music.Bottom line, if you love tight catchy songs,listen and love one of the best releases of.... 2000. Well it took a while to reach me, but it was worth it. Hope you love it!!!!

The debut album from indie rockers Phoenix marks a welcome return to the guitar sound that surely I'm not the only one to have missed over the last few years. Since radio waves have been swamped by the girlish harmonies that boybands and teen-idols shriek, we've seldom had an upbeat guitar and keyboard band to caress our starving ears.

From the heavy opening chords you can sense that this is a band with an altogether traditional take on rock music. But as the album progresses, there's a sense that something out of the ordinary (in a good way) is pouring out of your speakers.

United combines up-tempo tunes such as 'Too Young' and If I Ever Feel Better' (thier UK single relases - so far, surely destined to become anthems for the year) which boast flavours of 70's disco, with off-the-wall melodies and franky undecipherable lyrics such as 'Funky Squaredance'.

At only 38 mins of play time, it's hardly overlong, but there's not a flat tune on the playlist and you'll never take it out of the cd player.

It's gotta be bought - simple.

Additionally, as a live act they live up to the promise of the album, with the bonus of extended versions of their songs, and acrobatics from the lead (who has a thing for climbing amplifiers). Check them out as soon as you get the chance.

Anyone who was alive in the 70's and doesn't think of Todd Rundgren when they hear this isn't listening. They played this all summer in Paris...It was reallly hot.

I can't believe that this is a debut CD. This group sounds like they have playing together for a long time (which they might have). I think mis-labeling ruined or at least mis-marketed this album, which really should be more well-known. I can't find this CD at any stores in town, not even Borders. Anyways, calling it "electronica" or "pop" greatly dilutes the music, which is just unnecessary. I'd defy anyone to place this album into a one-word genre, because this music draws on so many influences. Retro-groove-funk-europop is about as close as i can get, but once again, no need for labels. The vocals on this album are incredible, along with the arrangements. I actually like this album better than Alphabetical, in part because the mix of songs is all over the place. That said, there are still some common themes that run throughout this short CD that make it coherent. Because this album can't be explained very well (or at least i can't!), you'll just have to get it.

I first heard "If I Ever Feel Better" in an LA club late in 2001 and ran up to the DJ to ask who ...it was, because I fell in love with the song immediately. I found the album about three weeks later and was stunned but what came out of my stereo - a schizophrenic genre mix that ranged from Disco, to Country, to 80's Metal. By the third listen I was hooked. It takes balls of steel to make an album so varied, and real genius to create a song as beautiful as "Hollywood". I recommend this album highly if you need to inject a pulse into your music collection!

if todd rundgren kept on keeping and new radicals did a lot more homework..they'd come off sounding something close to phoenix. an amazing album!

I first heard Phoenix's remix of Air's "Kelly Watch the Stars." They took the song and completely turned it into something else entirely, very impressive. Then came "Heat Wave" on "Source Material" another great track. Finally after hearing "If I Ever Feel Better", I was completely sold. That song, which is on "United" is truly unbelievable. It has an uptempo feel, (I listen to it to get pumped up sometimes) in a downtempo way. The lyrics are beauitul as is the singer's voice. So I bought "United". Phoenix have a completely unique sound. They sound as they are out of the 70's and yet there is freshness to the music. The songs on this album jump around, don't expect them to sound anything alike. But in a good way, there is diversity on this record. Phoenix are a great band if you are looking for something new and something fun.

This CD is amazing. The disc, is very short, sadly. However, the songs here show very grown up songwriting, tight grooves, and an amazing sound. There is not a dead spot, except maybe to middle of Funky Squaredance. It's slow but its ok, it's not their fault. I cannot wait to hear Alphabetical. Get this record as soon as humanly possible