Seth Rogen hosted Saturday Night Live this past weekend (his second time at the helm), but those who tuned in weren’t exactly rewarded for doing so. While the Madonna vs. Angelina Jolie adoption-off was among the very few highlights, French synth-pop band Phoenix saved the broadcast, performing three songs.

Now usually SNL‘s musical guests have at least a modicum of mainstream recognition, but up until that evening I’d never heard of the Parisian quartet. However, Phoenix rose to the occasion and instantly won this newbie over with its happy tunesmithing, though I did wonder if there was a bit of miming going on during first song, “Lisztomania”:

For their second turn in the SNL spotlight, the band performed “1901”:

I haven’t seen a clip posted of third track, “Too Young,” but I think you get the picture. These French imports have got the goods.

Phoenix’s new full-length, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, is out on May 26, but the guys have smartly issued an EP that should tide you over ’til then (purchase via iTunes, Amazon MP3).

But frugal music fans should first visit Phoenix’s official site for a free download of “1901.”