You Could Have It So Much Better [Import]

Aparently.

In fact, "Do you want to" is the song that lured me into this album. This defines what FF are; the slashy guitar tones and the dodgey, funny lyrics/vocals come in and you remember why you liked "Fire", "Take me out" and "Dark of the matinee".

This album is much like their last, but with more songs that make their origins and influences more obvious to the listener. Songs that stand out are: "The Fallen", "Do You Want To", "This Boy" (similar to "Micheal" on their last album), and "walk away is a subtle slow tune that hasn't really been tried very much by Franz ...but it works really well, possibly the best vocal track on the album. Its amazing how they've come up with a huge range of decent tracks in just over a year...they really tried on this album, and it shows through the retroness they create in the recording studio. A must have for any Franz fan, and an excellent album to own anyway. 10/10!

The album starts with a statement. Fallen has a long instrumental start that had me a little worried at first. Had they turn pretentious? Nah, just grabbing the attention of the listener. This attention is held in a tight grip until the album finishes. A truly great album has this type of quality, whereby the listener is compelled to listen and stops the album becoming a background track to a good night. There is diversity in the tracks. There was a slight criticism of the debut being a bit samey. I think this has disappeared due to the clever placement of tracks, slower tracks pepper the track listing with 'Walk Away', 'Eleanor Put Your Boots On' and 'Fade Together' breaking up the otherwise fast paced riot that Franz Ferdinand bring with them.

These slower tracks, do they work? Can Franz do slow? Yes they can. Sounds a little odd when you first hear 'Eleanor Put Your Boots On', not the Franz we know and love I thought, but it grows on you. Franz Ferdinand show they are capable of delivering surprises - something that is especially required after the surprise of the debut. This extra dimension they have found makes this album. It shows certain maturity in their song writing and album production.

The tracks in general have the typical change in rhythm and pace that can be associated with Franz Ferdinand, in fact without needing to be told, any one who has the debut could easily guess this is a follow up. A couple of tracks sound like they are continuations of debut efforts - 'This Boy' follows 'Michael' especially well. 'Walk Away' is my standout track on the album. Brilliantly gentle, with guitar bends and backing vocals. This track does have a slightly more mainstream appeal that should put it in a good position for radio play. This is one of the rare occurrences on the album where you feel their approach had been tapered slightly to catch the largest audience possible. This is a one off though, I am pleased to say the album has not sold out to mainstream in the same manner as Electric Soft Parade's follow-up to the debut 'Holes In Walls'. (Became too bland and commercial - thus losing all of their main qualities).

Overall this album delivers the Art Rock dance hall musical riot that we all hoped for, and partly expected. The new dimensions added stop the album becoming a cheating copy of the debut. Welcome back Franz, nice to hear you.

*** Like: - Joy Division, Gang of Four, Pixies, Interpol and thankfully like Franz Ferdinand ***