If you went to college in the late 2000’s there was no escaping Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. This was one of those glittery boppy Indie rock albums that was custom-made for the coming-of-age college demographic, fun and carefree and subtly sophisticated in the sort of way that made you feel like a child and adult all at the same time. It was pop music that was equally easy to dance to as well as study to, an amalgamation of life experiences that seemed to perfectly capture the spirit of burgeoning adulthood and youthful freedom that anyone around the age of 21 years old could appreciate. Phoenix became a prominent fixture on the festival circuit following the album’s release which accelerated their ability to connect to that market. And as you can probably imagine, they played a big role in my life– I’ll never forget the feeling of biking to class under sunny skies in Santa Barbara, cruising past front yards strewn with abandoned red solo cups from last night’s parties, and listening to Phoenix blasting in my eardrums as I hit the campus bike trail with Storke Tower standing above everything in the distance. It’s a visual and auditory experience that’s impossible to replicate, a party for one that feels nostalgic and brand new all at the same time when I look back. It’s the feeling of hope and wonder and dreams. It’s the sound of being alive. And it was great to re-live those moments once again at the age of 36, holed up in my home office, finishing up this article before paying the water bill and deciding what my wife and I are going to make for dinner for our two lovely toddlers. That feeling of wonder and magic at what life is capable of providing us still exists even if it has a different shape. And I love it all the same.
Standout Songs: “1901”, “Lisztomania”, “Love Like A Sunset Pt. 1/2”
