Phoenix
There are two things the French are notoriously bad at: war and Rock N' Roll. Of course, this broad generalization discounts Napoleon who extended French influence over the European continent before meeting his Waterloo. As far as Rock goes, there really isn't a similar highpoint but Phoenix is not the usual embarrassment, actually they are pretty good, though the Versailles-based group passes themselves off as an "un-French" band.
Vocalist Thomas Mars, bassist Deck D'Arcy and guitarist Christian Mazzalai started the group in the mid-90s and became Phoenix when second guitarist Laurent was added in '96. Following some session work as a backing band, Phoenix made their '00 debut with "United." That album was followed four years later by "Alphabetical." "Live! Thirty Days Ago" (released only thirty-days after the completion of the "Alphabetical" supporting tour) arrived in '05.
Recorded in Berlin, the band's third studio album, "It's Never Been Like That" led to both European and U.S. tours.
'09's "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" landed with a promotional splash. The group performed "Lisztomania," and "1901" on just about every late night show in the U.S. - Saturday Night Live, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Fallon, Craig Ferguson, Letterman and Conan O'Brien. "1901" was placed in a Cadillac commercial while "Lisztomania" was heard in the Where The Wild Things Are trailer and on the TV show Cougar Town.
To top it off, Phoenix won a Grammy in the Alternative Album category. But before that was decided, MySpace Music named "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" the Best Album of 2009.
Phoenix plays music boyfriends can tolerate, if not appreciate. The songs on "Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix" are pop nuggets. "Lisztomania" and "1901" are obvious but other notable tracks include "Fences," "Love Like Sunset II" and the urgent "Countdown."
Previous album, "It's Never Been Like That," is in exactly the same mode but less polished. The album opens strong with "Napoleon Says" and "Consolation Prize." If those work, they have more.