By Samir MathurContributing writer
Staff Page
Phoenix play the House of Blues next Tuesday (10/26) with Wavves. Tickets are around $40, available online.
Prior to 2009, Phoenix was a relatively obscure band: much beloved by weirdos like me who spend too much time on music sites, and unheard of by just about everyone else. Then ‘Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix’ happened. Although their previous output was far from shabby, something about this record just clicked with the masses, and the band found itself soundtracking a car commercial and a movie trailer, being invited to play on Saturday Night Live, and doing the late-night chat show rounds. Oh, and they won a Grammy.
Suddenly they’re massive, and they come to Orlando as part of their 2010 global victory lap. The muscular production of ‘Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix’ really translates well live, so everyone will enjoy the triumphant choruses of ‘Lisztomania’ and ‘Armistice’, as well as the more trippy ‘Fences’ or epic ‘Love Like a Sunset’. And of course there’s ‘1901’, with its triumphant “hey, hey, hey” refrain. And again, their back catalogue is just as strong – from the really old (I challenge anyone not to dance to their song ‘Too Young’) to the only-slightly old (anything from ‘It’s Never Been Like That’). Phoenix has a very strong selection of songs, plus they’re on a high and always happy to be playing them. It’s a winning combination, and I can’t wait to see them.
2009 was a banner year for Wavves too, but for very different reasons. Specifically, there was the well-documented public breakdown at the Primavera Sound Festival in Spain and subsequent cancellation of their European tour. Fortunately, the band was able to bounce back from ignominy (yes, I am very pleased with myself for using that word) and this summer put out ‘King of the Beach’. Unlike their previous work, which was very raw and cheap-sounding (and I don’t necessarily mean that in a good way), this new record is a huge leap forward. It sounds more warm, better-produced and, crucially, not homemade. Lyrically, main-dude Nathan Williams is still super angsty, but now that he’s backed by a fuller band, it’s a lot more fun to hear him mope. Doors are at 6.30 for this show, so Wavves may be on as early as 7pm: make sure you get there early.