In 2004, Franz Ferdinand, a collection of artsy-fartsy musicians from Scotland, released their debut, self titled album and had a hit with the eclectic dance/rock track, “Take Me Out.”

A year later, the group released, “You Could Have it So Much Better,” and struck the charts again with “Do You Want To” reaching the top ten on The Billboard 200.

It has taken three years, but Franz Ferdinand returns with “Tonight” and it was well worth the wait. The band’s first two releases had a few tracks that sparked, but the others were a little too far from center.

“Tonight” is the Franz Ferdinand album to catch fire. It’s complete with rock tracks that provide undeniable grooves, beats and hooks that make it hard to stay seated.

“Ulysses,” the first single, is familiar, but in a trippy sort of way. The guitars take backseat to distorted keys and a carefully placed foot-dragging type stomp. Singer Alex Kapranos whispers through the verses attempting to suede his listeners into “getting high” with him.

It isn’t until the next track, “Turn It On” that it becomes evident that Franz Ferdinand has evolved.
            The music is kept simple, but any pop music listener can agree that simplicity is key – the track can be easier caught that way.

“Turn It On” opens with a neck shoveling riff and rock beat to match before breaking into the muse-esque verse of fuzzed bass riffs. Kapranos shines with his Talking Heads-style melody and displays his growth as a singer and songwriter.

“Send Him Away” is what would happen if the Police and the Beatles super-grouped. The track opens with clapping drum beat that displays perfect awareness overtop clean electric guitars and an exotic lead riff. The lyrics talk about not needing the “sour side of love.”

Kapranos sings in a blissfully harmonizing way about not caring that his love is messing around – as long as she still loves him.

The chorus culminates with a Doors-ish breakdown of vintage organs and scrappy guitars, something the band hasn’t come close to touching until now.

From the sound of “Tonight” one can safely say Franz Ferdinand isn’t content with muddling in the capped success of an “art oriented band.”

“Tonight” is an album that is ornamented with several radio friendly tracks and their experimentation is unrivaled by most bands that are all but guaranteed a seat on the airwaves across America.

By HUNTER EMBRY
Staff Writer
ahembry@ius.edu