From their beginnings as Air’s live backing band, Phoenix have done well for themselves but felt that for their third album they needed to re-assess their music.
The title of this release no doubt refers to their actions, stripping away their carefully arranged and practised routine for a new first take, capture the band in a room attitude. Having played together since school, Phoenix are a band that could afford to hang their career on their ability to perform together as four musicians and the magic present when that happens. They decamped to Berlin for the recording of this album and entered the studio with barely a note written down such was their determination to do things differently and capture the freshness of their performances. It’s always admirable when a band is brave enough to try new approaches, whether they succeed or not, Phoenix have very definitely pulled it off and made it all seem rather easy rather than the career threatening move it can be.
