Photo by Faith-Ann Young

“We are Phoenix and we are from Paris, France.” [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Phoenix [/lastfm]make us oh-so happy; they make our hearts skip a beat, rising from our chests with heavy heaves of happiness.

Phoenix’s brand of alternative French pop, makes us want to french kiss all of the other beautiful young Angelenos swiveling their hips in the pit.

They were one of the most celebratory bands at  21st Annual Almost Acoustic Christmas, effortlessly synthesizing their elegant rendering of electronic, 80s pop songs and edgy, yet tender rock guitars strumming.

Vocalist Thomas Mars has a boyish charm with his sweet, French-accented treble, while bassist Deck d’Arcy, guitarist Chris Mazzalai and Mazzalai’s older brother and guitarist, Laurent Brancowitz fondled their instruments with gentle accuracy that we think only Phoenix has been able to accomplish with their foray into the increasingly popular world of French pop.

There is nothing rough around the edges with Phoenix; they play with their audience’s anticipation in mind, their music a cerebral foreplay that keeps the audience joyously breathless with their carefree dreamy innocence, their dance-infused pop hits, and the cool yet cocky rhythm of their guitar riffs.

That is what’s so perfect about Phoenix; despite the over-saturation of radio-hit “Listozmania,” it still sounds fresh and bouncing in front of a live audience.

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Slightly melancholic tune, “If I Ever Feel Better,” even sounds saturated in happiness when they play live. It’s impossible for Phoenix to create depressing music, when they are so facile on stage. This attribute also applies to their song “Girlfriend” that boasts the lyrics like “die and succeed/you say it out loud but you just don’t care.”

It’s impossible not to care about Phoenix’s pop perfection, that holds you close with it’s as fresh, unfettered, groundbreaking electronic pop. It’s a sound that we wouldn’t mind holding close to us forever and we are super sad that 21st Annual KROQ Acoustic Christmas is over.