Two Bears in a Record Store

Hello all you TwoBears readers!


In the interests of laziness, here is the first "month or so late album review". First off the rank is Franz Ferdinand's Tonight: Franz Ferdinand.


The Glasgow based band have held a coveted position as revolutionaries of rock, and have always prided themselves on the ability of making music for "girls to dance to." Their debut, self titled, effort had a stream of hits that found a huge and different fan base. The second album, You Could Have It So Much Better was well received, although a different direction was definitely being pushed. Personally, I love the second album - particularly the far from dancy Eleanor Put Your Boots On.


The third album shows a band that is comfortable enough in its ability to make good music that they have taken some risks, the vast majority of which have worked. Tonight is the most appropriate name for this album; the tracks take the listener through one long, sometimes seedy, sometimes romantic, and always rollicking night out with the Franz Ferdinand boys.


The album has clearly been crafted with live performances in mind, and speaking from the experience of having seen them break out Ulysses at the Falls Festival, this is a very good thing for those lucky enough to see a guy by these guys.


The first three songs of the album (Ulysses, Turn It On, No You Girls) set the pace for the album, and reveal just how much rockier the band has become for this outing - driving electric guitar riffs dominate in the tracks in the same way that they stood out in Take Me Out.


In the months leading up to the release of the album, Franz released Lucid Dreams. The track of the same name on the album bears very little resemblance to the single, and at first listen I thought this was something of a mistake. However, having had a month (see I knew there was logic in my tardiness!) to listen and re-listen to the album, this track has come way up the list to become my favourite track behind Ulysses. It is psychedelic and takes you on a journey that suits the title name, and the electro ending (from 4:30 onwards) is incredibly different from anything the boys have ever done, and I think it really works.


Tonight: Franz Ferdinand is another success for the band, and has given them a handful more dance hits to wow crowds with at gigs. Come back soon boys!