Phoenix soars on Bankrupt!

Never underestimate the power of a catchy song.

In 2009, Phoenix finally broke through to American audiences based on the strength of their infectious single “1901” and its accompanying album “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.” The record was critically championed as the best album of the band’s career, landing them a Grammy for Best Alternative Album and featuring two top-five hits on the U.S. Billboard Alternative Charts. After a decade of work, it seemed as though Phoenix had finally reached the apex of their career. Now, four years later, Phoenix is back with “Bankrupt” — an album that should please any indie rock fan, even if it fails to live up to the gold standard set by Wolfgang Amadeus.

If Wolfgang Amadeus was an album full of arena-ready rock anthems, then “Bankrupt” is an album of stadium anthems, with the motto seeming to be “bigger is better.” Have no fear though: Phoenix still sounds like the same French band that wrote “Long Distance Call,” and their iconic sound remains firmly intact. However, there’s a much larger emphasis on synthesizer lines on “Bankrupt,” which help make this album one of Phoenix’s most danceable.

Lead single “Entertainment” is classic Phoenix and a perfect example of how the band’s newly beefed up sound can push the band’s pop writing skills. “Entertainment” is filled with catchy passages and just might be the single catchiest song Phoenix has penned to date. “SOS in Bel Air” is another standout and is highlighted by Thomas Mars’ excellent vocals and the band’s tight performance. While the guitar and bass lines once again shine for Phoenix, it’s the drumming that deserves some attention, such as on album closer “Oblique City,” where the chaotic drumming keeps the song lively and unpredictable.

While nothing on the album is a complete failure, there are a few noticeable hiccups on “Bankrupt” keeping it from being the band’s strongest record. The nearly seven minute title track is the most obvious misstep, and its ambient mood fails to strike the same resonance that “Love Like a Sunset” struck on Wolfgang Amadeus. Also, the album’s ballads “Chloroform” and “Bourgeois” can’t help but feel short of energy sitting alongside dance-ready jams like “Trying to Be Cool” and “Drakkar Noir.”

Ultimately, “Bankrupt” feels like a victory lap for Phoenix — a comedown after their crowning achievement. The lyrics never demand much scrutiny, but when the songs are this irresistible, catchy and genuine, it’s a fair tradeoff.