Tonight Franz Ferdinand review

Ulysses
At first I really wasn't sure, took at least 4 listens to crack it (last one being at Koko). its strange, the verses are far to slow to dance to, but as soon as the chorus kicks in all hell breaks loose. a perfect way to acclimatise us to the new synths that now occupy the world of FF.
4.5/5

Turn It On
Good bass line, but that's about it. The chorus has a hint of early 00's garage rock (Datsuns, The D4 etc). it's OK but wouldn't of made it onto the first two albums.
3/5

No You Girls
I think this is the one they wanted to work with the girls aloud producer (you could see Girls Aloud or sugababes singing this). the chorus is quite good, it's a big catchy sing along with hand claps galore. to me it seems that Franz have fallen in love with really demonic middle eights, they seem to be on every track! a bit too over produced but better than the last track.
3.5/5

Send Him Away
I hate this one. Alex claims its his favorite track. its terrible....a kind of FF waltz. it wouldn't even have been a b side in the early days.
1/5

Twilight Omens
the first track to really go full synth. the keyboards make me think of Christmas on this one. guitars strutting and pounding bass make for quite a sexy chorus. haven't a fucking clue what their singing about though.
4/5

Bite Hard
one of my faves. glam rock with an intro that's alarmingly reminiscent to "Jacqueline". a good fun pop song which i think will be their next single. Alex and nick showing a kind of Docherty/Barratt friendship, "WE RIDE TOGETHER!!! WE DIE TOGETHER!!". once again the keyboard is the center piece with a riff that you can't help but pogo to.
4.5/5

What She Came For
probably my favorite, this song is the shit. a proper dance song that you'd expect from FF. a chorus that will set the festivals alight and a batshit crazy ending. previously i had felt a bit sorry for the drummer Paul Thomson, he hasn't had a chance to just let loose a really drum. well from about 3Mins in that changes and he beats the fuck out his kit. its wicked, it really is.....they even turn the guitars up to 11 to catch you off guard.
5/5

Live Alone
after the previous track most songs would sound weak in comparison, and unfortunately Live Alone does. instantly forgettable and skipable. once again a good bass line is on show but not much else. good but not great
3/5

Can't Stop Feeling
Definitely a future single/classic. a deep synth bass riff kicks the track off, followed by the best bass riff on the album. catchy as hell you will be dancing to this in the summer. unfortunately another annoying middle eight is present so i cant give it any higher than a 4..
4/5

Lucid Dreams
Lucid Dreams has had a bit of a make over since it initial release in 08. its now 8mins long, has a new chorus and a new direction. obviously tweaked to fit in with the new sound the 09 version now has more effected vocals and a slower tempo. its clever and works quite well in context with the rest of the album. half way though it moves into prog territory with an endless jam/solo (its really too loose to be labelled a solo) then moves into electro. close your eyes you could be listening to Justice, its unexpected and brilliant at the same time. this really should be the last track on "tonight" but its not.
4.5/5

the last two tracks are Dream Again & Katherine Kiss Me. there both acoustic ballads that really shouldn't be on the album. they don't fit....i haven't really listened to them so I can't really grade them. Katherine Kiss Me is an early version of Oh You Girls which to me says they were just throwing anything on the end just to make the album longer. I'd rather have the album finish on Lucid Dreams but that's just me.

Final verdict
Its the shit.

Bye
Tom