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Phoenix: Liberté, Égalité, Phoenix!
The first book from the French band Phoenix, who helped define the sound of an era.
With one foot in the French electronic music sound of the late 1990s and the other in the world of indie Rock, Phoenix have evolved from an edgy French band to one of the most influential and beloved indie acts of the last twenty years.
The book draws on the band's personal archives, including photography of everything from their instruments to the notebooks in which every lyric and chord change were carefully notated. Accompanying this is an oral history of the Phoenix's journey in their own words. The book is a superfan's chronicle of the evolution of a band.
Published to coincide with a series of anniversaries for the band -- thirty years since their formation as teenagers in 1989; twenty since the release of their debut record in 1999; and ten since Grammy Award-winning Best Alternative Album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, in 2009 -- and with original interviews conducted with the band throughout, this book is an intimate celebration of a group whose particular brand of indie rock has struck a chord on both sides of the Atlantic.
With one foot in the French electronic music sound of the late 1990s and the other in the world of indie Rock, Phoenix have evolved from an edgy French band to one of the most influential and beloved indie acts of the last twenty years.
The book draws on the band's personal archives, including photography of everything from their instruments to the notebooks in which every lyric and chord change were carefully notated. Accompanying this is an oral history of the Phoenix's journey in their own words. The book is a superfan's chronicle of the evolution of a band.
Published to coincide with a series of anniversaries for the band -- thirty years since their formation as teenagers in 1989; twenty since the release of their debut record in 1999; and ten since Grammy Award-winning Best Alternative Album, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, in 2009 -- and with original interviews conducted with the band throughout, this book is an intimate celebration of a group whose particular brand of indie rock has struck a chord on both sides of the Atlantic.
- GenresMusicNonfictionArt
240 pages, Hardcover
Published October 15, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 23, 2024
this is the best book I’ve ever read in my whole entire life
March 1, 2020
This is a band that means a lot to me and I’ve been a fan for such a long time. I loved following along with their beginning and seeing the thought process behind each record. Great photographs as well, especially for gear nerds.
January 7, 2025
Literally the best band ever!!?
June 17, 2021
I love books about music and this one was recommended to me by a friend. It’s the band and many other people telling the story of French band Phoenix. Now, I was familiar with Phoenix and liked them quite a bit, so I was definitely up for reading this one.
This was such a fun read. I love the way the book was done. It is basically an oral history with snippets told by the band, but also people around them, such as people they recorded with and family members. The only book I have read that was a bit similar to this was Meet Me In The Bathroom by Lizzy Goodman (which I also loved). There is something very loose and unforced about this way of telling a story. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Their story is told in chronological order, from the four guys meeting until their last album Ti Amo, which came out in 2017. It was interesting to see their development, but also the choices they made along the way and their reasons behind that. They come across as people who just like doing things their own way, no matter what other people think. I think that’s so refreshing.
The book is also littered with great photographs. Some of the band, some rather abstract, but they really give something extra.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and as an extra treat, I got to listen to all the Phoenix albums as I read about them.
Of course, if you’re not interested in the band, you won’t read this, but I have come out a bigger fan than I was before!
This was such a fun read. I love the way the book was done. It is basically an oral history with snippets told by the band, but also people around them, such as people they recorded with and family members. The only book I have read that was a bit similar to this was Meet Me In The Bathroom by Lizzy Goodman (which I also loved). There is something very loose and unforced about this way of telling a story. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Their story is told in chronological order, from the four guys meeting until their last album Ti Amo, which came out in 2017. It was interesting to see their development, but also the choices they made along the way and their reasons behind that. They come across as people who just like doing things their own way, no matter what other people think. I think that’s so refreshing.
The book is also littered with great photographs. Some of the band, some rather abstract, but they really give something extra.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and as an extra treat, I got to listen to all the Phoenix albums as I read about them.
Of course, if you’re not interested in the band, you won’t read this, but I have come out a bigger fan than I was before!
April 9, 2026
Of course I have to give 5 stars to my favorite band, Phoenix 🐦🔥 Love that they have a good friendship and may they continue to create good music. Loved learning their album processes and inspirations and the personal stories. Branco is very poetic when he talks and I have highlighted some stuff he has said in the book. Branco is my Phoenix bias lol
October 21, 2022
As a big fan of this band I loved this one. I was shocked how the bands' approach to art and life is so similar to my own; before this book I only knew them for their music and nothing beyond that. It was also a really inspiring story of friendship.
October 21, 2019
If you like the band, you will love this book. It is thoughtful & engaging. Thank you @wearephoenix for enriching my life.
December 28, 2019
Beautifully designed book. Excellent read for any fans of the band. RIP Philippe Zdar.
January 4, 2020
Really beautiful book. Just a rich source for any Phoenix fan, and it will look wonderful on the shelf as well.
July 9, 2020
Phoenix is my favorite band and reading this made me love them even more. They are truly geniuses and super down to earth
January 22, 2023
Must-read for every fan if the band!
November 11, 2023
Love love love
August 1, 2024
amazing (obviously)
December 29, 2023
So SO good. If you’re a fan you’ll absolutely love this book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews