Hi it's me, the "turdlinger" who doesn't like 'Do You Wanna' by Franz Ferdinand. Whoever wrote that gave us a right giggle. More insults/death threats ASAP please! They've proper got groovy on their "difficult" 3rd album, Tonight. The production by Dan Carey is super sharp on this album! 'Turn it On', the 2nd track (ignoring that fucking irritating 'by numbers' comeback single that opens proceedings) is superb, taut, muscular & funky. 'Tonight' sees them often exploring new territory, taking on a "dancier" edge, like on 'No You Girls', with a strutting disco feel, chic guitars & wibbly bass manouvers. His voice is still sometimes like a less guttural Dave Gedge mixed with Edwyn Collins, the songs are still (largely) pop gems and I've got to admit, the diversification of styles on offer here is quite astounding, being that each tune is stamped boldly with their hallmark sound whilst being eclectic as fuck. I was all lined up to slate this, expecting a patchy abomination but there's tons of wonderful hooks to fall in love with, even a bit of psychedelic spacerock exploration. It's the more trad sounding Franz plodders that let the side down, like they're trying to keep the old brigade happy by making the traditional template sound more Beatles-ey. But as far as keeping things fresh 'Bite Hard' has got to be a single with it's compressed giddy glam feel & a bit of racous wild abandon. Yes this is a party album that will appease old hipster fans and clueless "townies" alike. I wouldn't buy it but I'd definately recommend it over that last mediocre effort. CD comes with the extra dub versions and there's a really lovely looking box set containing a load of jukebox dinked 7"s (well they do seem to have gone backwards into the 70's and eaten the entire decade whole and spewed it back out in a big giddy Scottish pop rainbow!) Better than Hot Chip, 10/10 for effort even if some of it is much too cheesy for an old agit-pop head like me!!
Love this record? Hate it? Tell us.
What their label says...
Tonight: Franz Ferdinand’ is the brand new album from Franz Ferdinand. Recorded between Glasgow and London by Dan Carey (Hot Chip / Lily Allen / Kylie): Explosive and infectious, and undeniably Franz Ferdinand, but a bigger, brighter beast. · The band have just been confirmed as the music guests of Jonathan Ross on BBC1 - the first show since that big scandal and sure to be a ratings winner. · After playing some low key shows in Scotland and Manchester, the band are playing a couple of shows in London and Edinburgh on the back of this release. A full UK tour has been booked for the Spring. · The album comes in four physical formats, including a limited edition box set (5000 copies) which features the album across six 7”s, a dink to play them with, a 40 minute film about the making of the album with live performances, and finally ‘Blood’, a dub version of the album. ‘Blood’ is also featured on the limited double CD edition (20,000 copies), which is housed in a gatefold replica LP package. The heavyweight vinyl format comes in a deluxe, board mounted gatefold sleeve.
‘Tonight: Franz Ferdinand’ Ulysses Turn It On No You Girls Send Him Away Twilight Omens Bite Hard What She Came For Live Alone Can’t Stop Feeling Lucid Dreams Dream Again Katherine Kiss Me
‘Blood’ (WIG205X & WIGCD205X Bonus CD)
Feel The Pressure Die On The Floor The Vaguest Of Feeling If I Can’t Have You Then Nobody Can Katherine Hit Me Backwards On My Face Feeling Kind Of Anxious Feel The Envy
DVD (WIG205X Only) Between Summertown & Merryland: The Making Of ‘Tonight’ Live Performances: Ulysses No You Girls Katherine Kiss Me Dream Again
