Album of the Day

Part of an end-of-the-millennium wave of French groups including AIR and Daft Punk, Phoenix arose from Versailles to issue UNITED in 2000. Though the foursome were still a few years away from their indie rock breakthrough, it’s a very assured collection, featuring sparkling production (from band mentor Philippe Zdar), electronica textures and classic pop/rock hooks on such tracks as “Party Time,” “Too Young” and “If I Ever Feel Better." The set drew critical raves; Pitchfork described it as “one of the most confoundingly brilliant debuts of the year, the type of album that thwarts expectations while affirming music's overwhelming capacity to amaze.” A limited-edition Record Store Day release of UNITED is a must-have celebration of the album that started it all.