Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

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Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
Studio album by Phoenix
Released 25 May 2009 (2009-05-25)
Recorded 2008
Genre Alternative rock, synthpop, New Wave
Length 37:02
Label V2, Loyauté, Glassnote
Producer Phoenix, Philippe Zdar
Phoenix chronology
It's Never Been Like That
(2006)		 Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
(2009)
Singles from Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
  1. "1901"
    Released: 23 February 2009
  2. "Lisztomania"
    Released: 7 July 2009
  3. "Lasso"
    Released: 2009
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix Remixes Cover
A silhouette line drawing of black bombs falling on a blue background with "Wolfgang AMADEUS PHOENIX" written on one of the bombs and "PHOENIX REMIXES" written at the bottom in white.
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix Remixes bonus album included with the re-release

Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is the fourth studio album album by the French alternative rock band Phoenix. The album was released internationally by V2 Records on 25 May 2009. While the band's previous work enjoyed a moderate underground following, the release of Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix drew the attention of a more mainstream audience. In the US, Phoenix began a promotional tour including performances on several late night talk shows. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix continued to gain momentum with the increased exposure of the tour. The polished stylings of the unique Phoenix sound spilled over into in movie trailers, television credits and commercials. The album had the critics attention and despite a slow climb in alternative music charts, eventually reached the top 10 for the year.[1] "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" earned the band a Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album at the 52nd Grammy Awards held on 31 January 2010.[2]

Contents

[edit] Background

The album credits Phoenix band members Thomas Mars on vocals, Deck D'Arcy on bass, and Laurent Brancowitz and Christian Mazzalai on guitar, as well as the collaboration of Phillipe Zdar Cerboneschi, who mixed the album and played drums on the song "Fences". Phoenix produced 10 songs for release on the album in the U.S. and Canada under the Glassnote label.[3]

Phoenix officially became a band in 1997 after adding the talents of guitarist Laurent Brancowitz to the lineup. Childhood friends Thomas Mars, Deck D'Arcy and Christian Mazzalai launched their career together playing out of Mars’ garage. That same year the band released 500 copies of an album EP on their own label “GhettoBlaster”.[4]

Three years later the band released its first full studio album entitled “United”. The album is said to get its music influences from the band “Air” who are close friends with Phoenix. The album received mixed reviews.[5][6] The follow-up sophomore release “Alphabetical”(2004) was received with more enthusiasm than the previous album and did make its way on to the charts.[7] In 2005 the band released a live album entitled “Live! Thirty Days Ago” before wrapping up their tour for “Alphabetical”. That same summer the band started to record their next album in Berlin.[8] “Its Never Been Like That” was released the following year in 2006, Phoenix's third studio album.[9] The album has been met with generally positive reviews.[10]

2009 and the release of “Wolfgang Amadeus” proved to be a triumphant year for Phoenix. The album is renowned for its effortless flow from beginning to end. Former pro-basketball player turned music critic, Paul Shirley, framed the album's composition in this light, "Many albums are simply collections of songs. "W.A.P." is different. There is a method behind its arrangement. There are ebbs in the energy, but they're buttressed by pick-ups in tempo. There are emotional moments, but they're given time to breathe. The songs are built—at least to my ear—to go together."[11] Indeed, critical acclaim would suggest that the transitions between both songs and moods in this album flow smoothly and listen well.

The album name plays off of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, using his first and middle name and replacing his last with the band's name "Phoenix." Of the name, Phoenix, Thomas Mars says, “The album title is almost like a childish thing, like you’re unleashing a child into the museum and he draws a mustache on the Mona Lisa or something ... It’s kind of bratty, especially with me, my mom is German and Mozart is Austrian and in Germany it’s like messing with the Pope or something.”.[12]

[edit] Writing and Composition

Co-producer Philippe Zdar hosted the recording of the album from his in home studio in Paris.[13] During the production of the album, the band recorded video of the sessions, which they have released as mini documentaries of their journey to create Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. The videos are available on the band's website.

Throughout the process, lead singer Thomas Mars, noted the use of Oblique Strategies flash cards to promote his creative thinking during the development of the album.[14]

In his review, Andrew Winistorfer, delivers a vivid description of the opening tracks, "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix opens with two monster singles, “Lisztomania,” a glittery anthem that manufactures a sense that you’re in for greatness and an immense motion that gets more urgent as the song progresses, and “1901,” a synth-washed heartfelt ode from frontman Thomas Mars about falling in love."[15]

"Lisztomania" refers to the term Lisztomania, a word coined by the German romantic writer Heinrich Heine to describe the massive public response to Franz Liszt's virtuosic piano performances.

[edit] Promotion and Release

A
Phoenix on tour at the "Wiltern Theatre" in Los Angeles 28 June 2009.

It was announced in early 2009 that the band would be releasing an album. The single “1901" was released 29 February 2009. To promote the album Phoenix performed on Saturday Night Live on 4 April 2009. The band performed “1901” and “Lisztomania”.

In order to get fans interested in the album the band released an EP version of the album for Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix that was only available through iTunes. The EP featured both songs that were performed on SNL and two others; “Love Like a Sunset pt 1 & 2”.[16][17][18] On 25 May 2009 the album was released on V2 records in conjunction with Loyauté the bands own record label worldwide and on Glassnote in the United States of America.[13][19][20]

From 12 May 2009, the album was available to download from the iTunes Store for customers in North America[21] and from Amazon MP3.[22]

On 7 August 2009, Phoenix performed a live version of "Lisztomania" on Australian youth radio network Triple J in a program called "Like a Version".[23]

[edit] Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic 4/5 stars link
The A.V. Club (A) link
Drowned In Sound (9/10) link
Entertainment Weekly (A-) link
The Guardian 3/5 stars link
musicOMH 4/5 stars link
NME (8/10) link
Pitchfork Media (8.5/10) link
SPIN 3.5/5 stars link

In Australia, the album debuted at #13. It debuted on the U.S. Billboard 200 albums chart at No. 37 and remained in the Top 100 for several weeks due to the alternative radio success of the album's second single "1901."

The album won the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album on 31 January 2010.[24][25]

Year-end list entries

Lisztomania & 1901 were both listed on Triple J's Hottest 100 for 2009, and received No. 4 and No. 13 respectively.[32]

[edit] Track listing

No. Title Length
1. "Lisztomania"   4:02
2. "1901"   3:13
3. "Fences"   3:45
4. "Love Like a Sunset Part I"   5:39
5. "Love Like a Sunset Part II"   1:57
6. "Lasso"   2:48
7. "Rome"   4:38
8. "Countdown"   3:57
9. "Girlfriend"   3:24
10. "Armistice"   3:05
Special Edition Box Set Bonus Remix CD
No. Title Remix Artist Length
1. "Lisztomania"   Alex Metric 5:08
2. "Fences"   The Soft Pack 4:19
3. "1901 Bo Flex'd"   Passion Pit 4:14
4. "Lasso"   Two Door Cinema Club 2:53
5. "Fences"   25 Hrs a Day 4:05
6. "1901"   L'Aiglon 3:12
7. "Love Like A Sunset"   Turzi 4:31
8. "Fences"   Boombass 6:54
9. "Lisztomania"   25 Hrs a Day 5:36
10. "Fences"   Friendly Fires 5:11
11. "Armistice"   Yacht 4:38
12. "Girlfriend"   Young Fathers 4:20
13. "Fences"   Chairlift 4:06
14. "Rome"   Neighbours (with Devendra Banhart) 4:54
15. "Love Like A Sunset (Deakins Jam)"   Animal Collective 4:07

[edit] Charts

[edit] Weekly charts

Chart (2009–10) Peak
position
Australian Albums Chart[33] 13
Austrian Albums Chart[34] 66
Belgian Albums Chart (Flanders)[35] 27
Belgian Albums Chart (Wallonia)[36] 22
Canadian Albums Chart[37] 19
European Top 100 Albums[38] 26
French Albums Chart[39] 14
German Albums Chart[40] 18
Irish Albums Chart[41] 64
Norwegian Albums Chart[42] 14
Swedish Albums Chart[43] 34
Swiss Albums Chart[44] 23
UK Albums Chart[45] 54
US Billboard 200[37] 37
US Alternative Albums[37] 4
US Heatseekers Albums[37] 7
US Independent Albums[37] 2
US Rock Albums[37] 5

[edit] Certifications

Country Certification
Australia Gold[46]
Canada Gold[47]
United States Gold[48]

[edit] Year-end charts

Chart (2009) Position
French Albums Chart[49] 141
US Billboard 200[50] 177
Chart (2010) Position
US Billboard 200[51] 96

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Tyrangiel, Josh (8 December 2009). "'Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix' by Phoenix – The Top 10 Everything of 2009". TIME. http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1945379_1943810_1943820,00.html. Retrieved 12 November 2011. 
  2. ^ "Nominees". GRAMMY.com. http://www.grammy.com/nominees?category=93. Retrieved 12 November 2011. 
  3. ^ Phoenix. “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix”. Perf. Deck D'Arcy, Laurent Brancowitz, Christian Mazzalai, Thomas Mars, and Phillipe Zdar Cerboneschi. Ghettoblaster.2009.
  4. ^ "Phoenix Biography – AOL Music". Music.aol.com. http://music.aol.com/artist/phoenix/biography. Retrieved 12 November 2011. 
  5. ^ "Phoenix – United (album review)". Sputnikmusic. http://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/11122/Phoenix-United/. Retrieved 12 November 2011. 
  6. ^ "Treble : Album Review : Phoenix – United". Treblezine.com. http://www.treblezine.com/reviews/122-Phoenix_United.html. Retrieved 12 November 2011. 
  7. ^ "Alphabetical (album) by Phoenix". Best Ever Albums. 22 May 2007. http://www.besteveralbums.com/thechart.php?a=10042. Retrieved 12 November 2011. 
  8. ^ "Treble : Album Review : Phoenix – It's Never Been Like That". Treblezine.com. http://www.treblezine.com/reviews/1334-Phoenix_It_s_Never_Been_Like_That.html. Retrieved 12 November 2011. 
  9. ^ http://www.rhapsody.com/#/artist/phoenix/album/its-never-been-like-that?
  10. ^ "It's Never Been Like That Reviews, Ratings, Credits and More at Metacritic". http://www.metacritic.com/music/its-never-been-like-that. Retrieved 25 November 2011. 
  11. ^ "Phoenix's excellent CD "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" is great for music lovers, but bad for Europe – ESPN". ESPN. 7 July 2009. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/thelife/news/story?id=4309720. Retrieved 12 November 2011. 
  12. ^ Earfarm 29 April 2009 Phoenix (an Interview with Thomas Mars) http://earfarm.com/band-of-the-week/3020
  13. ^ a b "Phoenix News: Phoenix Rises With New Album, Label". Idiomag.com. http://www.idiomag.com/peek/67252/phoenix. Retrieved 12 November 2011. 
  14. ^ Kroening, Jonathan (26 April 2011). "Music Review: Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix". seattlepi.com. http://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/blogcritics/article/Music-Review-Phoenix-Wolfgang-Amadeus-Phoenix-890719.php#ixzz1RHclS5nf. Retrieved 12 November 2011. 
  15. ^ "Album Review: Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix | Prefix". Prefixmag.com. http://www.prefixmag.com/reviews/phoenix/wolfgang-amadeus-phoenix/25447/. Retrieved 12 November 2011. 
  16. ^ "PHOENIX PREMIERE NEW SONGS ON SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE APRIL 4 | Skope Entertainment Inc". Skopemag.com. 31 March 2009. http://skopemag.com/2009/03/31/phoenix-premiere-new-songs-on-saturday-night-live-april-4. Retrieved 12 November 2011. 
  17. ^ "Phoenix Play SNL, Release Exclusive iTunes EP Next Weekend « The FADER". Thefader.com. 26 March 2009. http://www.thefader.com/2009/03/26/phoenix-play-snl-release-exclusive-itunes-ep-next-weekend/. Retrieved 12 November 2011. 
  18. ^ Dombal, Ryan (25 March 2009). "Phoenix to Play "Saturday Night Live" | News". Pitchfork. http://pitchfork.com/news/34921-phoenix-to-play-saturday-night-live/. Retrieved 12 November 2011. 
  19. ^ "V2 : Artists". V2music.com. http://www.v2music.com/artists.php?artistID=13. Retrieved 12 November 2011. 
  20. ^ DougWallen. "Phoenix – interview – Interviews". Thevine.com.au. http://www.thevine.com.au/music/interviews/phoenix-_-interview20101201.aspx. Retrieved 12 November 2011. 
  21. ^ Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix iTunes store. Retrieved on 13 May 2009.
  22. ^ Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix Amazon MP3. Retrieved on 13 May 2009.
  23. ^ Listen to Phoenix's Like a VersionLike a Version.Retrieved on 31 August 2009.
  24. ^ 52nd Grammy Awards
  25. ^ "Release | Digital". MTV Press. http://mtvpress.com/digital/release/pheonix_named_mtvs_push_artist_of_the_week. Retrieved 12 November 2011. 
  26. ^ "Search Articles, Artists, Reviews, Videos, Music and Movies". Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/31421097/the_25_best_albums_of_2009/8. Retrieved 12 November 2011. 
  27. ^ Staff, Pitchfork (17 December 2009). "Staff Lists: The Top 50 Albums of 2009". Pitchfork. http://pitchfork.com/features/staff-lists/7744-the-top-50-albums-of-2009/5/. Retrieved 12 November 2011. 
  28. ^ The top 25 albums of 2009 (9 December 2009). "The top 25 albums of 2009". The A.V. Club. http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-top-25-albums-of-2009,35918/2/. Retrieved 12 November 2011. 
  29. ^ Adams, Sean (18 December 2009). "Drowned in Sound's Top 50 Albums of 2009". Drownedinsound.com. http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4138638-drowned-in-sounds-top-50-albums-of-2009-50-1?most-read. Retrieved 12 November 2011. 
  30. ^ "The 25 Best Albums of 2009 – Rhapsody: The Mix". Rhapsody. http://blog.rhapsody.com/2009/12/best-albums-of-2009.html. Retrieved 12 November 2011. 
  31. ^ 12.07.09 5:07 pm. "The 40 Best Albums of 2009 | PHOENIX". SPIN.com. http://www.spin.com/gallery/40-best-albums-2009?page=38#main. Retrieved 12 November 2011. 
  32. ^ "Triple J Hottest 100 Countdown 2009". http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hottest100/09/countdown/cd_list.htm. Retrieved 23 November 2011. 
  33. ^ "Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix". Australian Recording Industry Association. Hung Medien. http://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Phoenix&titel=Wolfgang+Amadeus+Phoenix&cat=a. Retrieved 28 September 2011. 
  34. ^ "Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" (in German). IFPI Austria. Hung Medien. http://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Phoenix&titel=Wolfgang+Amadeus+Phoenix&cat=a. Retrieved 28 September 2011. 
  35. ^ "Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. http://www.ultratop.be/nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Phoenix&titel=Wolfgang+Amadeus+Phoenix&cat=a. Retrieved 28 September 2011. 
  36. ^ "Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" (in French). Ultratop. Hung Medien. http://www.ultratop.be/fr/showitem.asp?interpret=Phoenix&titel=Wolfgang+Amadeus+Phoenix&cat=a. Retrieved 28 September 2011. 
  37. ^ a b c d e f "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix – Phoenix – Billboard Albums". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/wolfgang-amadeus-phoenix-r1552917/charts-awards/billboard-album. Retrieved 28 September 2011. 
  38. ^ "European Albums – Week of June 13, 2009". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/#/charts/european-albums?chartDate=2009-06-13&order=gainer. Retrieved 28 September 2011. 
  39. ^ "Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Hung Medien. http://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Phoenix&titel=Wolfgang+Amadeus+Phoenix&cat=a. Retrieved 28 September 2011. 
  40. ^ "Phoenix, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" (in German). Media Control. charts.de. http://www.charts.de/album.asp?artist=Phoenix&title=Wolfgang+Amadeus+Phoenix&cat=a&country=de. Retrieved 28 September 2011. 
  41. ^ "Top 75 Artist Album, Week Ending 28 May 2009". Irish Recorded Music Association. Chart-Track. http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240002&arch=t&lyr=2009&year=2009&week=22. Retrieved 28 September 2011. 
  42. ^ "Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix". Verdens Gang. Hung Medien. http://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Phoenix&titel=Wolfgang+Amadeus+Phoenix&cat=a. Retrieved 28 September 2011. 
  43. ^ "Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix". Swedish Recording Industry Association. Hung Medien. http://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Phoenix&titel=Wolfgang+Amadeus+Phoenix&cat=a. Retrieved 28 September 2011. 
  44. ^ "Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix". Media Control. Hung Medien. http://swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Phoenix&titel=Wolfgang+Amadeus+Phoenix&cat=a. Retrieved 28 September 2011. 
  45. ^ "Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix". The Official Charts Company. Chart Stats. http://www.chartstats.com/release.php?release=48143. Retrieved 28 September 2011. 
  46. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2010 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupageshttpwww.aria.com.aupagesARIACharts-Accreditations-2010Albums.htm. Retrieved 28 September 2011. 
  47. ^ "Gold Platinum Database". Music Canada. 15 July 2010. http://www.musiccanada.com/GPSearchResult.aspx?st=Wolfgang+Amadeus+Phoenix&sa=Phoenix. Retrieved 28 Septembe 2011. 
  48. ^ "Gold & Platinum". Recording Industry Association of America. 10 September 2010. http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?artist=%22Wolfgang+Amadeus+Phoenix%22. Retrieved 28 September 2011. 
  49. ^ "Classement des 200 premiers Albums par GfK Music" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. http://proxy.siteo.com.s3.amazonaws.com/disqueenfrance.siteo.com/file/dossierdepresseecomidem2010.pdf. Retrieved 28 September 2011. 
  50. ^ "2009 Year End Charts – Top Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2009/the-billboard-200. Retrieved 28 September 2011. 
  51. ^ "2010 Year End Charts – Top Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/yearendcharts/2010/the-billboard-200. Retrieved 31 December 2010. 

[edit] External links

Phoenix
Studio albums
Live albums
Singles
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