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A French lesson from Phoenix

Comments (0) By Christopher R. Weingarten Wednesday, Jun 10 2009

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The perpetually sunglassed Phoenix are dubbed the "next big things" pretty much every time they release a record, their Daft Punk–meets–the Strokes vibe always welcome even in times when those bands aren't as trendy. Fourth album Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix is the indie-rock version of distant, self-conscious, luxurious cool movies like Lost in Translation (where their music has appeared) or bands like Air (whom they've backed)—sexy enough to not only get away with calling a song "Love Like A Sunset, Part II," but flippant enough to convince everyone it's a good idea. Or maybe they're the scruffy, Urban Outfitters version of a dance band, all scraggly hair and neatly chunk-chunked guitars and overcomplicated arrangements. Either way, they've crossed over a wide enough swath to sell out both Music Hall of Williamsburg and Terminal 5. With Lightspeed Champion. At 10, Music Hall of Williamsburg, 66 North 6th Street, Brooklyn, 718-486-5400, $25; at 7:30, Terminal 5, 610 West 56th Street, 212-307-7171, $22
Thu., June 18, 7:30 & 10 p.m., 2009