my favourite two tracks off of "Tonight: Franz Ferdinand"

No You Girls [mp3]

What She Came For [mp3]

Record Review - Tonight: Franz Ferdinand

What can I say about the new Franz Ferdinand album?
In a nutshell? It’s brilliant.

The entire album grapples with lyrics along the same lines as “If I Fell” by the Beatles, the insecurities that come with the heftiness of the “l” word. “Oh, you know, you know, you know, that yes I love---I mean I'd love to get to know you,” Alex sings on “No You Girls.” He puts up an impenetrable wall, as not to get hurt. We've all been there.

After kicking off with a killer opening track (their first single, “Ulysses”), Franz don’t falter one bit. The synth driven energy is high as a kite (“Live Alone”), the guitars ferocious in a way that would make Jack White proud (“Can’t Stop Feeling”), and we get some classic sounding Franz with “No You Girls”, plus an irresistible bass line. “Lucid Dreams” is electronica heaven. Did I mention that the guitar solo in “What She Came For” is one of the best I’ve heard in ages?

But then Alex and the boys turn it down a notch, using what sounds like a triangle in “Dream Again” to ease you on into one of the most contemplative songs in pop music today, “Katherine Kiss Me”, where you can find a slow, acoustic, piano ballad (get images of the Fray out of your mind. This is what slow songs should sound like. Think “Sylvia Plath” by Ryan Adams.) This last song references the previously crass lyrics in a disapproving way, and Alex declares "Sometimes I say the stupid things I think I mean...and do you ever wonder how the boy feels?" Franz Ferdinand are in touch with their emotions. Go figure.

One of the problems that most bands face is creating albums that are well rounded and strike a good balance, leaving listeners in awe, completely satisfied with what they have just listened to, and compelled to listen to it over and over again. In that respect, Franz have excelled. They retained their danceable sound, incorporated some more advanced songwriting, and thrown us a curve ball with the final two slow songs, just to stick it to the rest of us that we cannot be as cool as these Scottish rockers.

Put on your dancing shoes and your sensitive pants, this album is guaranteed to please on every level possible.

4.5/5

new Franz Ferdinand track!

I want this album SO BADLY.

Franz Ferdinand - Twilight Omens [mp3]
nothing short of perfection, these lads.
is it just me or do they keep getting more and more ominous (a la Joy Division)?

NME showcasing new Franz Ferdinand tune

I'll make it easier for you guys so you don't have to sign up for emails (I'm already on the listserve so it doesn't make a difference to me)

enjoy:

Franz Ferdinand- What She Came For (live) [mp3]
courtesy of NME.com

it sounds a bit like Ulysses ,but is more guitar driven, less synthy.
the verdict? I freaking love the new stuff the boys are putting out. Franz Ferdinand have yet to disappoint me, let's keep it that way!

Tonight: Franz Ferdinand (their third album to date) is set to be released on 26 January in the UK, and on the 27th in the US. I will keep you posted with updates