Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
My Thoughts (Reviewed by K-Billy)
This self titled debut album by the Scottish band Franz Ferdinand is an important addition to the small group of good rock musicians that exist today. To describe their music would be a difficult challenge, my best effort would be to describe them as post punk garage rock but with a little flair for glam styling and plenty of good dancing tracks. Although make no mistake even if you dislike maybe one or more of those genres or styles you’d be doing yourself a disservice by not giving this band a chance. From the opening track Jacqueline with it’s mood shifting break from acoustic melody to rocking guitar you get a sense of what the band’s all about. The guitar work on this album is extremely well done and altogether catchy. This best illustrated on the bands hit single “Take Me Out.” Once again the opening of the song is merely a buildup to the payoff. And what a payoff it is, this track is one of the best rock songs I’ve heard in years with crunching catchy guitars and wonderfully thought provoking lyrics…“I’m just a crosshair, I’m just a shot away from you.” Beyond the amazing “Take Me Out” comes the equally entertaining “Dark Of The Matinee.” The mood and style between the two songs is a dramatic change yet not an unwelcome one as this track is another excellent song. Now where a lesser band would’ve probably been spent after the first couple of good songs FF sustains their unique style throughout the entire disc, surprisingly managing to churn out 11 tracks of unflinchingly stylish rock and roll.
Key Tracks
Tell Her
Tonight
Take Me Out
The Dark Of The Matinee
Darts Of Pleasure
This Fire
40’