Quick Review: Phoenix & Dan Auerbach

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Phoenix - Ti Amo (Glassnote Entertainment Group)

Released: June 9th, 2017

Phoenix is back with their first album in 4 years, "Ti Amo". Phoenix is one of the top alternative/indie-pop bands of the past 20 years and they are one of the first alternative groups I ever got into. They have a deep repertoire of catchy and poppy songs including "If I Ever Feel Better", "Long Distance Call", "Trying to Be Cool", and the everlasting "1901" and "Lisztomania" off of there most popular record Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (2009).

On this new record right here, Phoenix continue their poppy alternative sound through the use of gorgeous synths and some 80's pastiche. The lead single "J-Boy" contains these glistening synths accompanied by this picked synth melody, very catchy. I love the thick and heavy drums on this track as well, great way to lead off the album. Wide synths accompanied by these catchy synth and guitar melodies are what drive this record and are present all over the track listing. The title track "Ti Amo" is another great track. I really enjoy the drums on this song, they move the song forward and they are also accompanied by extra percussive instruments that add some depth. The "Don't Tell Me" chorus gives this track a danceable element. The other single "Goodbye Soleil" sounds very 1980's. The scratchy guitar picks with the icy synth-play combine for a great alt-pop track.

Overall, I would definitely give this album a try, especially if you have been a fan of Phoenix in the past. The whole project didn't blow me away or anything but this is a decent album for the summer. Danceable and catchy alt-pop to listen to under the sun. Listen below...

Listen: Phoenix - J-Boy & Goodbye Soleil

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Dan Auerbach - Waiting on a Song (Easy Eye Sound/Nonesuch Records)

Released: June 2nd, 2017

The Black Keys frontman and well-known producer Dan Auerbach is back again with his second solo album, Waiting on a Song. In terms of The Black Keys, I have never been a huge fan outside of a handful of singles and I also have never listened to any of Auerbach's solo work, so I was diving into something new. In general, I was very pleased with what the album had to offer. Built off of the sounds of 60's/70's folk-pop and sun-pop, Dan delivers 33 minutes of some catchy summer sounds.

In some interviews he mentioned how he wanted to have a record where he adds some session musicians and has multiple people help him write and produce, and I believe it panned out well for him on this "Nashville-pop" record.

The singles "Shine on Me" and the title track are great summer tracks. I love the constantly repeating and super wide/full chorus on "Shine on Me", very gospel-esque. My favorite on the album "Malibu Man" contains these smooth and groovy guitar licks that run throughout. They also compliment the horns so well on the track. "Cherrybomb" is another standout on the record where Dan takes a more psych approach by adding in these unique percussive sounds and guitar effects.

From start to finish Auerbach really forms his own sound through the emulation of 60's/70's pastiche. Again, it didn't blow me out of the water or anything but this is some great feel-good music for the summer. If you are interested in that era or sounds that are inspired from that time, check out this record. The whole thing is packed full of these large choruses and wide sounds. At times it has some corny and dumbed down lyrics but I believe that Dan does a solid job on his second solo album. Listen below...

Listen: Dan Auerbach - Shine on Me & Malibu Man