Writing and Composition
Co-producer Philippe Zdar hosted the recording of the album from his in home studio in Paris. During the production of the album, the band recorded video of the sessions, which they have released as mini documentaries of their journey to create Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. The videos are available on the band's website.
Throughout the process, lead singer Thomas Mars, noted the use of Oblique Strategies flash cards to promote his creative thinking during the development of the album.
Reviewer Andrew Winistorfer said of the album, "'Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix' opens with two monster singles, "Lisztomania", a glittery anthem that manufactures a sense that you're in for greatness and an immense motion that gets more urgent as the song progresses, and "1901", a synth-washed heartfelt ode from frontman Thomas Mars about falling in love."
"Lisztomania" refers to the term Lisztomania, a word coined by the German romantic writer Heinrich Heine to describe the massive public response to Franz Liszt's virtuosic piano performances.
The third single "Lasso", is one of the few songs the band has utilized a guitar solo. The opening drumbeat, fast-paced toms and the drumroll in the chorus were played on a synthesizer by Mars, who was a drummer at a young age.
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