Franz Ferdinand
 

I was reading the good word about the group from their SXSW performance and just happened to walk into a store that had it in a playrack. As soon as I started listening, I was hooked. I really don't like much music that is being released these days, but FF is really good. Has anyone else picked this up and what do you think?

I bought the import as a blind-buy (or should that be deaf-buy?) a month or two ago and really like it. Took a while to get used the singer's voice, but other than that it is a really solid album. My favorite track being "Auf Achse". I had no idea it was even out over here yet.

first pressings of the 'import' album had a bonus 'live' disc - it's ace! :)

I bought this last week after reading about them in Q Magazine. In England, they are currently the next big thing.

(The CD was pretty damn good, I might add.)

Too bad they didn't include "Shopping For Blood" on the release. Otherwise, I'm enjoying it.

The songs are great. Have it going on my playlist.

Great Cd. Agreed.

Yeah I just got the promo of this at work and have been playing the hell out of it. I put off listening too it because one of my friends who has similar taste said it was horrible. Good stuff!

i just bought the cd the other day and its alright. nothing special if you ask me.. just too overhyped.

overhyped, still good.

want a really great band? check out THE THRILLS

enjoy the album,

the hype isn't a big a payoff as when The Strokes first album or Coldplay's first one were hyped over there, but still a good album.

I'm loving the hell out of this record, and think it easily best the debut from the strokes... FF are certainly a band to watch...

MATT

I read about them in Rolling Stone magazine, and liked the references made to other bands that sound like them ... and maaaan! I was in heaven the first time I listened to the CD. It's like all my favourite British New Wave bands from the late 70's and early 80's rolled into one with a great pop sensibility. I can hear echoes of Gang Of Four and The Stranglers, amongst others.

Franz Ferdinand's album has held up very well to repeated listening and definitely a band to watch. Very catchy melodies.

All I have to say is.... "Hoooray!". Some great music coming out these days.

My older brother hates me. Why? Because I played "Matinee" for him, and he can't stop humming the bloody thing.

Yeah, but even THEY'RE overhyped, still good.

Hype's got nought to do with a band's quality, Justin.

indeed, but you gotta admit FF were hyped like crazy. I enjoy their album but i've heard a lot better stuff this year. i like thier look as well.

I do admit they were - and are - hyped. So were The Thrills... I mean, they played on Ellene DeGeneres' show! :D

Glad to see so many similar opinions here! I generally don't buy any new stuff, and I still don't think that highly of "Take Me Out" (which was the first FF song I heard), but after hearing the whole album I found I really really liked it and bought it immediately.

The song that finally got me interested in this band was the aforementioned Shopping for Blood. Does it remind any of you of Iggy Pop's Nightclubbing?

I guess I'm so sad about rock music's current low popularity that I'm always looking for some new "messiah band" to lead us out of the dark days. After being relatively unimpressed by The Strokes, I was overjoyed to find something that lived up to the hype. I'm looking forward to seeing this band move the greater things.

Take Me Out is amazing. My new favorite song...for now. Weird ass video too.

This is just a partial listing of the tour dates in June since DC is missing (Pollstar doesni't list it) yet it was announced in yestedays City Paper and todays Washington Post Weekend section:

Fri 06/04/04 San Francisco, CA The Grand @ Regency Center

Sat 06/05/04 Hollywood, CA The Avalon (Formerly The Palace)

Sun 06/06/04 Los Angeles, CA The Wiltern LG

Tue 06/08/04 Seattle, WA Showbox

Wed 06/09/04 Denver, CO Bluebird Theater

Fri 06/11/04 Minneapolis, MN Fine Line Music Cafe

Sat 06/12/04 Chicago, IL Metro / Smart Bar

Sun 06/13/04 Detroit, MI Majestic Theatre

Mon 06/14/04 Toronto, ON Phoenix Concert Theatre

Wed 06/16/04 Boston, MA Avalon

Thu 06/17/04 New York, NY Webster Hall

Fri - ?

Sat - ?

Sun 06/20/04 Washington DC 9:30

So I bought the CD! I've listened to it several times.

Light, but VERY GOOD stuff, and it'll stick in your head forever. It's musical toffee.

One problem - and yes, ONE problem - is the lazy songwriting on some of the songs.

Repeat this eight times:

"It's always better out than in,
It's always better out than in!
That's why we only work when...
we NEED the MONEY!"

The band's website lists these shows, as well as the ones above:

06/18 USA BROOKLYN Volume
06/19 USA PHILADELPHIA Making Time @ Shampoo
06/22 USA ATLANTA Cotton Club

If you like FF, also worth checking are "The Shins" Chutes Too Narrow. Good article on them in the recent UNCUT (the one with Pete Townshend on the cover).

Another pop gem is "Lovers" from The Sleepy Jackson.