Franz Ferdinand

• Franz Ferdinand [Domino, 2004] ***
• You Could Have It So Much Better [Domino, 2005] A-
• Tonight [Domino, 2009] *
• Blood [Domino, 2009]

Consumer Guide Reviews:

Franz Ferdinand [Domino, 2004]
Young enough to only work when they need the money, a musical tradition worth fighting for ("Michael," "Jacqueline"). ***

You Could Have It So Much Better [Domino, 2005]
They've gotten unmistakably louder and unmistakably gayer--or perhaps I mean, hate the term, more metrosexual, given that the most affecting song here is a plea to a Brooklyn girl to rush her ass to Scotland. Small shows of force are all this ex-alt unit needs to achieve the meaning curmudgeons demand of rudderless guitar bands. They define themselves when they declare--not howl, not brag, declare--"I'm evil and a heathen." Firmly secular on their shaky pop pinnacle, they're a beacon. A-

Tonight [Domino, 2009]
They've got a question for us--where will we be in five minutes' time? ("What She Came For," "Live Alone"). *

Blood [Domino, 2009]