Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand Album Review
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Album Review
With these guys' being spread across every magazine cover going, there must be some spectacular spark to expect from their long awaited debut album. Surely the hype is well deserved, and those who rushed out to buy the alleged biggest album this year were fulfilled?
Well it cannot be argued that the band has come up with a quirky and retro stomper of a debut, a CD which leaves you pondering where exactly their retro influences have derived from. The downside is that there is an element of a bad case of "I've heard this before" leaving a niggling feeling that they haven't stretched themselves quite as much as they could have melody wise.
With this in mind, the limited melodies have a knock on effect, limiting what is unique musicianship, and not doing the quirky vocals the justice they deserve. It is almost as though Franz Ferdinand are scared to break the barriers of music, for fear of losing the safe and familiar sound their new fan base loves, a great shame as there is great creativity and quirkiness existing to be expressed by the members.
This aside, the strong bass lines and simple drum rhythms, alongside eighties tinged keyboards certainly get the most seat ridden person up dancing, and the shower singer joining in after less than two listens. This 38 minutes of music is a no fuss, simplistic indulgence of garage/quirk rock resembling the likes of Hot Hot Heat and The Coral, especially in "Auf Asche" There are no heavy lyrics, or mathematical sounds, and no need for marathon length songs to impress, Franz Ferdinand know their style, albeit resembling so many others retro and current, and stick to it too. This is a sure fire way of keeping fans listening to the 11 packed in songs.
Ones to watch include Jacqueline, with its stomper of a bass line, watch out for this story of life when you are young.
"It's always better on holiday So much better on holiday That's why we only work when we need the money It's always better on holiday"
On a similar note, "Matinee," a song about rebelling and life at school, from hating the uniform to being shy around a certain person is a recommended listen.
"Well, find me and follow me Through corridors refectories And files you must follow Leave this academic factory."
One last attention grabbing track is "Michael, "recommending that you leave dancing with your mates and go off to flirt more, addressing homosexuality in a comedic manner, another upbeat track, which Franz Ferdinand seem to do best.
"Beautiful boys on a beautiful dance floor Michael, you're dancing like a beautiful dance whore"
To finish, 40ft is a strange choice to end, being less of a loud ending, and more mid tempo, a good tune all the same. Surprisingly there is no "Van Tango," but other singles "Take Me Out and "Tell Her Tonight" provide the mixture of upbeat and mid tempo songs. Normally not one to pick out singles, in favour of recommending unfamiliar album tracks, It has to be said that the highlight has to be "Darts of Pleasure," seemingly being the most thought out song, and riding high above many others which appear as album fillers, otherwise a very likeable debut offering, worth a listen, but not the hype.
Gigs
- Fri 18th Jul 2008
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