Review by SARAH CRAWFORD,Central York High School


Usually, when a band takes a hiatus, it doesn’t have what it takes to rise back to its previous fame. The fans have moved on, accepting the fact that they’ll never get to hear another great hit from their favorite group. Then the band is stuck in the shadow of its former glory, wondering how it became a thing of the past.

Like its namesake mythological bird, Phoenix has managed to rise out of the ashes of its previous self and come back bigger, and better, than before. The band, which first formed in Versailles, France, has previously produced four studio albums and two live albums.

Now, nearly four years later, Phoenix has released “Bankrupt!” It’s evident that the band has taken its hiatus as a chance to get back to its roots and find its old sound. This album ditched the radio pop of some of the band’s earlier work and substituted it for the indie rock Phoenix is known for.

One of the noteworthy tracks is “Entertainment,” in which the French-based band is inspired by Asian culture and uses the ethnic music to blend into a modernized techno beat. The overall result is surprisingly enjoyable. Another popular song that is worth a listen to is “Don’t.” It’s heavily synthesized, and the lyrics glide easily between the changing tempo. It’s a great upbeat song for those who know they can’t dance, but do it anyway.

The rest of the album has a unique variety of songs, ranging in beats and lyrics. Usually, albums try to keep with a general theme, and while “Bankrupt!” has a modern Asian feel to most of its songs, each track offers something new to enjoy. Laurent Brancowitz is a master at guitar and easily slides through complex tempo changes. Plus, Thomas Mars, on vocals, gives a strong and consistent performance.

Overall, “Bankrupt!” offers everything a good album needs: catchy lyrics, a unique musical statement, and repeatable listening ability. Phoenix has proven it has what it takes to surpass its previous albums. If you know anything about good music, or need an album to dance to, “Bankrupt!” should be on your summer playlist.

If Phoenix has sparked your interest, you can catch them live at Chicago’s summer music festival, Lollapalooza, on Aug. 4. To find other upcoming shows visit the band’s website at

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