Phoenix's 2006 album It's Never Been Like That might have been recorded in a studio in concrete-heavy East Berlin, but the French foursome created an album that sounds infinitely more beach than Bismark. In fact, the album is so irrepressbly upbeat that it's hard to understand why Phoenix chose to record in Berlin of all places.

From the almost satirical "Napolean Says," with it's catchy lyrics ("you want to be European / I would be your Bonaparte"), the vaguely Beach Boys-esque and upbeat "Consolation Prizes," to The-Strokes-meets-Air-meets-Daft-Punk lead single "Long Distance Call," Phoenix have not just followed up their 2004 release Alphabetical, they've entered a whole different league.

It is inarguable that some of the tracks take their inspiration a little too far and become derivitive ("Rally" channels 1950's beach movies just a little too well, and "North" has some of the worst and most self-indulgent elements of an Interpol track), there is far too much that is purely enjoyable in It's Never Been Like That to complain too much. It's quirky, mostly due to its intelligent channeling of 70's rock and electronica, which is its saving grace.

 I'm not sure I'll make it through summer 2008 without it!

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