My favourite current summer album: Phoenix's Wolfgang Amadeus

I find that it is very difficult for me to come around on a band after trying out their first records. I think it is human nature that it is hard to overcome our first impressions and our preconceived notions.

The extreme example I can think of? Radiohead. When they came out with their first album "Pablo Honey" they had one significant single "Creep" that was played way too much on the radio. I got annoyed by the song and I thought they were a typical 90s guitar band that was trying to swim along with the grunge movement. I was not that big of a fan, which prevented me from giving their next album "The Bends" a proper listening to when it first came out. I was a full year late to realize that the album was tremendous. I also blame my lingering negative first impression for costing me to see Radiohead live at the Rage (which that club by the Plaza of Nations for you young uns... the club has changed its name at least 10 times in the last decade). "The Bends" is one of my all-time favs and then to see how the band continued to evolve and progress leading to their magnum opus "OK Computer" is a reminder how people/bands/restaurants/authors can improve over time.

Wilco, until their last two albums (which aren't that bad) were very similar. I finally felt with "Yankee Foxtrot Hotel" that they were a completely different band.

Which brings me to Phoenix. My friends (Kavie? Little Buddy?) introduced me to their first album awhile back. It was good but wasn't burning up my ears. With such little time these days, an album better be worth my time and worth repeat listens. Again, they were not a bad band at all.

But their newest album, "Wolfgang Amadeus"... this is an album I did not expect from this French group. The leap that they have made as a band makes me happy. Radiohead happy.

I hope you give them a listen to. Their single "1901"... I dare you not to tap your feet while you listen. One of many excellent tracks on a standout album. Isn't that what summer is all about? Listening to great songs.

Enjoy.