The Phoenix Foundation - Happy Ending

The Phoenix Foundation - Bright Grey

Hailing from New Zealand, indie-pop rockers The Phoenix Foundation have been touring the U.S. in anticipation of the stateside release of their newest album, Happy Ending. This six-man strong band from Flying Nun records has already established their fame in New Zeland with two critically acclaimed albums, only one of which (Horsepower) has been officially released in the U.S. With their newest album, Happy Ending, The Phoenix Foundation wants to send their musical horizons abroad and earn themselves the reputation of the next best thing to come from New Zealand.

Happy Ending has a great range of sounds from the beginning of the album all the way to the end. The opening track and album single Bright Grey starts the CD off with a charming, delicate, indie-rock sound comparable to the likes of The Pixies or Minus the Bear, which evolves into a more alt-rock feel with the subsequent Bleaching Sun. Songs like Gandalf and A Day In the Sun attempt a more somber, melodic feel, while other tracks like Slumber Party and Burning Wreck show an uncanny resemblance to the more downbeat, piano-filled sounds heard in groups like Coldplay. Conversely, tracks like Pure Joy, No One Will Believe Me When I’m Dead, and to an extent Irrelevant Noise all have a very classic-country feel in an attempt to try something different.

Having said all of that, Happy Ending is definitely not a perfect album. Though commendable with its ability to change up their sound a bit, most of the CD is just a rehash of other artists. Most of the songs have a sound that’s stale and overdone and there isn’t really anything Happy Ending has to offer that would keep me coming back for more. Their were plenty of catchy tune moments that made it somewhat entertaining, but if someone asked me to recommend to them a good indie-album, Happy Ending certainly wouldn’t be at the top of my list.

There’s no doubt though that The Phoenix Foundation is an extremely hard working band, and with three albums under their belt and growing fame here in the U.S., be sure to keep an eye out for these guys because this is a group with some serious potential. With six dedicated best friends who love to play music, they have to have one hell of a live show.

Buy the record here (although really overpriced)