The band I'll be talking about this time is one I've known for a while, yet even when I was just starting to listen to them I could recognize their distinct sound anywhere and tell it was them one of their songs.  Another way I can almost always recognize them even when it's a song I haven't heard yet is the way the music catches your attention and draws your ear closer to the source. The band is a french alternative rock band named Phoenix and  even if you think you haven't heard of them before, chances are you've at least a couple of their more popular songs on the radio which I'll add links to later. Their music can be easily recognized and distinguished by the use of their guitars which feature melodic yet rhythmic sound that keep the song balanced and allow the chance of hearing the rest of the band while maintaining a good melody. One of the more prominent features of the band is Thomas Mars' voice which has a distinguishing "far away" voice that harmonizes with the rest of the band to create a smooth and enjoyable music experience. They have many songs which are uptempo and happy sounding and give you some energy, but they also have songs where they completely tone it down to the point of an instrumental and the tempo drastically changes and they seem to relax a little bit which is always refreshing and pleasing to the ear following the numbing effects of uptempo music.

Lisztomania- catchy upbeat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ptWqpJnBuw

1901- repeated guitar influence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHPbKTkdBVE&feature=fvwrel

Slowed down song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gno15jfgLyc