Phoenix's first album United was released in June 2000 and contains the two hit singles "If I Ever Feel Better" and "Too Young". "Too Young" is included in the "Lost in Translation" soundtrack by Sofia Coppola.

The French group Phoenix draw elements from their eclectic '80s upbringing to arrive at a satisfying synthesis of rock and synthesizers. Vocalist Thomas Mars, bassist Deck d'Arcy, and guitarist Christian Mazzalai were a garage band based out of Mars' house in the suburbs of Paris. Mazzalai's older brother Branco joined the band on guitar when his band Darlin' disbanded in 1995.

The group got its touring start on the French bar circuit doing Hank Williams and Prince covers to drunken audiences.

United, the group's debut album, appeared in 2000 on Astralwerks and was recorded over two months. The album featured guest appearances from friends and family, including Thomas Bangalter (Daft Punk), Philippe Zdar (Cassius), and d'Arcy's mother's choral society on the track "Funky Squaredance." From that point, they issued Alphabetical (2004), It's Never Been Like That (2006), and their mainstream breakthrough, the critically adored Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (2009).

Part of the extended break between the third and fourth albums was due to Mars becoming a father (with his partner, director Sofia Coppola).

Track Listing
School’s Rules
Too Young
Honeymoon
If I Ever Feel Better
Party Time
On Fire
Embuscade
Summer Days
Funky Squaredance
Definitive Breaks