View Full Version : Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
jmdomain
12-01-2004, 21:22
Only a mini review for the moment but gone are the shambles of a band I saw when they first started out in Glasgow. Instead we have the 'It' band of the moment. They've certainly lived up to that moniker as they've produced the first must have album of 2004. Franz Ferdinand take on a multitude of influences from Josef K to Wire and every other other arty rock band back then but primarily early Talking Heads. They swallow the best bits of these bands and spit out their own skewed groovy take on them.
They've crafted an album worthy of the hype. Not the masterpiece that's been made out but a very good album all the same. I've only listened through it twice so my opinion on this may change, it's just my first impression. Don't have any favourite tracks as it's difficult to seperate the tracks on the album as they're all equally good.
Who cares what genre of music they get transcribed to, I'll just say they make clever arty disco garage punk rock music for watching fit indie girls dance to. :p
Didn't rate it at all. Listened to it today and it's a poor man's....everything. I'll give it five or six more listens before I review it though.
jmdomain
12-01-2004, 21:56
The thought had crossed my mind Raphph, believe me, but the quality of the album shines through after a few more listens. Fair enough it's a mish mash of what's gone before but one can't deny it'll be one of the better albums to come out this year.
I have to give credit where credit is due. They have come on leaps and bounds, and to create an album as half as good as what they've made is quite an achievement considering how bad I knew they were at one time.
It gets a good 8 from me.
Originally posted by Raphph
I'll give it five or six more listens before I review it though.
Darts of Pleasure isnt that great, their debut single to boot... but take me out is really good, and from listening to the album today so is Auf Achse!
Not had a proper listen yet, (only listened twice, and not through my inner ear headphones yet!) but still... im gonna enjoy reviewing this despite having not heard much of them (and im not tainted by their apparent abysmal start :p)
Funnily enough, I nearly started a topic about FF just after I started my review on CDtimes... spooky!
The Bear
13-01-2004, 00:03
Take Me Out is a top tune. The rest are a bit samey. Sound too much like a poor man's Hot Hot Heat.
Disappearer
13-01-2004, 08:18
I think it's a case of 'believe the hype' because this is a great debut album!:thumbs:
Finally managed to obtain this.;)
I think it's a very good album on first hearing,I knew a lot of the tracks from the times I've seen them live so it was nice to hear studio versions.
I'll give it a couple of days on my ipod to see if the other tracks are just as good...
LouBarlow
13-01-2004, 17:05
Yup :thumbs: from me too - derivative and original in one foul swoop :nuts:
Dumps all over the Hot Hot Heat album from a great height, to whoever said that...the bands aren't even comparable anyway in my view. HHH's sound is sickly sweet commercial, which this clearly isn't.
They have a great rythmn like early Talking Heads as jmdomain said...
Arch Stanton
13-01-2004, 20:39
Singles No2 in the mid week charts! :eek:
LouBarlow
13-01-2004, 21:07
I love the single...especially the way the first minute sounds like a totally different song, but then it kinda flows into the new one like a DJ flawlessly manipulating his Technics :nuts:
Brilliant!
album's growing on me, particularly first track after he finishes his Jim Morrison impression
jmdomain
13-01-2004, 21:49
Originally posted by Lorne.t
Finally managed to obtain this. ;)
Glad you did ;)
After listening to the album some more today I still stand by what I said in my original post . A cohesive album with every track sounding equally good. Best track of the lot if I was forced at gunpoint to my big toe is the new single 'Take Me Out'. A deserved no.2 in the midweek charts courtesy of the information from Arch Stanton. :thumbs:
Here's hoping that more of bands like this and the great music that they make reach the upper reaches of the charts than the 'guff' that proliferates the charts these days. Well done to Franz Ferdinand's marketing people. Generating good 'Word of mouth' is one of the hardest marketing tools to master.
Coolhand
14-01-2004, 11:55
Shame that the marketing people aren't generating any actual revenue because everyone is 'obtaining' it from 'the usual places'
Nothing like encouraging new bands eh?
Arch Stanton
14-01-2004, 12:39
Originally posted by Coolhand
Shame that the marketing people aren't generating any actual revenue because everyone is 'obtaining' it from 'the usual places'
Nothing like encouraging new bands eh?
I work on a try before i buy policy.
The Franz Ferdinand albums definatley getting bought.
Originally posted by Arch Stanton
I work on a try before i buy policy.
Completely agree. Would never have been into bands like Ima Robot, My Morning Jacket, Stellastarr, Tahiti 80 if I hadn't listened to them first, and you can't rely on radio anymore.
I think I must buy about ten cds a week now, and it's all thanks to file-sharing, and anyway...look at album sales facts (http://www.cdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=329) !
gary191265
14-01-2004, 13:42
Originally posted by Coolhand
Shame that the marketing people aren't generating any actual revenue because everyone is 'obtaining' it from 'the usual places'
Nothing like encouraging new bands eh?
It totally encourages new bands, in my opinion...if the new bands are any good that is. Instead of believing this months NME's 'Best band since...' hype, you download a couple of tracks and if you like it, buy the album, otherwise you don't bother. What have the band lost exactly ? They may have gained a couple of sales from people that otherwise wouldn't have given them the time of day...but that's obviously not encouraging enough...
Incidentally, I haven't heard Franz Ferdinand but I'll probably download a few tracks tonight and have a listen, as I love any period Talking Heads...and it's also nice to have a listen to what LouBarlow's hyping this week ;)
LouBarlow
14-01-2004, 15:08
Originally posted by gary191265
Incidentally, I haven't heard Franz Ferdinand but I'll probably download a few tracks tonight and have a listen, as I love any period Talking Heads...and it's also nice to have a listen to what LouBarlow's hyping this week ;)
It doesn't really *sound* like Talking Heads, just the tight beats and drumming reminds me of that kind of 'chugga chugga' rythmn...if you catch my drift? :nuts: :dork:
Sounds Strokesy in places, Coraly in others, but bloody good to my ears...not quite the Scottish Nevermind though :luv: :lol:
LouBarlow
14-01-2004, 15:10
Originally posted by Coolhand
Shame that the marketing people aren't generating any actual revenue because everyone is 'obtaining' it from 'the usual places'
Nothing like encouraging new bands eh?
Oh and that's nonsense...as the recent record sales, and the singles high chart position show. I predict a top 3 position for the LP on release...I'll certainly be buying.
gary191265
14-01-2004, 15:28
Originally posted by LouBarlow
It doesn't really *sound* like Talking Heads, just the tight beats and drumming reminds me of that kind of 'chugga chugga' rythmn...if you catch my drift? :nuts: :dork:
Sounds Strokesy in places, Coraly in others, but bloody good to my ears...not quite the Scottish Nevermind though :luv: :lol:
It was all going so well, then you mentioned the Strokes !!!
Oh well, I'll still have a listen, anyway ! It's been a while since I've liked a trendy young band, well apart from The Kings of Leon !:)
LouBarlow
14-01-2004, 15:34
Only Strokesy (a bit!) on the first track...:p
The review is now up on CDtimes:
http://www.cdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=333
My greatest tip is listen to this album using decen earphones/buds, it really makes a difference! You know an albums a winner when you start singing it out loud without realising :lol:
:thumbs:
I'll be buying it also.
It's very rare for me to buy albums that I haven't downloaded.
I download them,stick them on my ipod and if I like most of the tracks after a couple of weeks I'll buy the album.
LouBarlow
14-01-2004, 18:05
Nice review.
The last track sounds like the fiends who shot Ray Davies recently, reclaimed the bullet which travelled through his leg, retained his DNA and created a bizarre yet musically similar clone who they sold to some dodgy Scottish geezers who employed him, or possibly locked him in a cupboard feeding him only whisky and haggis, till he produced a track worthy of the Village Green Preservation Society LP...
Disappearer
14-01-2004, 18:10
Originally posted by LouBarlow
The last track sounds like the fiends who shot Ray Davies recently, reclaimed the bullet which travelled through his leg, retained his DNA and created a bizarre yet musically similar clone who they sold to some dodgy Scottish geezers who employed him, or possibly locked him in a cupboard feeding him only whisky and haggis, till he produced a track worthy of the Village Green Preservation Society LP...
:lol: :clap:
jmdomain
14-01-2004, 21:05
Originally posted by LouBarlow
Nice review.
The last track sounds like the fiends who shot Ray Davies recently, reclaimed the bullet which travelled through his leg, retained his DNA and created a bizarre yet musically similar clone who they sold to some dodgy Scottish geezers who employed him, or possibly locked him in a cupboard feeding him only whisky and haggis, till he produced a track worthy of the Village Green Preservation Society LP...
:clap: good ruffage.
Got my tickets to see The Franz at Brixton Academy, Feb 7th. :thumbs:
basegreen
14-01-2004, 23:04
Utter class. Auf Asche is perhaps the best track ive heard in about 6 months.
Has anyone bought the single?
I bought it today, and was dumbstruck as the Bside on the vinyl claims to be a song called "Truck stop" but the song played is Auf Asche :confused:
same songs or a mis-printed record?
jmdomain
15-01-2004, 21:00
Not got it yet, but keep it, it might be worth millions. :)
Could be a localised issue. CD Duplicators having an off day round RPG's way?
Originally posted by jmdomain
Could be a localised issue. CD Duplicators having an off day round RPG's way?
CDs? Im on about the Vinyl :lol: :lol:
Tell you what though, as much as I hated darts of pleasure I wish i'd have bought the 7" on a whim :cry:
its going for about £12 on ebay now :razz:
jmdomain
15-01-2004, 21:07
Originally posted by RPG
CDs? Im on about the Vinyl :lol: :lol:
Tell you what though, as much as I hated darts of pleasure I wish i'd have bought the 7" on a whim :cry:
its going for about £12 on ebay now :razz:
:lol:
Jings!
I'm blind. It must be the sheffield posting style. Takes a wee while to tune in to. I think I just read what I thought I wanted to read!
LouBarlow
15-01-2004, 21:16
darts of pleasure isn't that bad surely? To be sure theres nothing bad about this album at all, let alone something to be appalled by...record of the year! maybe....but then again....
Actually there is a flaw, i hate the ending to 'Michael' which has our Scottish geezer sounding like he's choking on his black pudding or something :gag:
Apart from that, spunkadelick!
As I said, its ok, it pales in comparison to the rest of the album :p
jmdomain
15-01-2004, 21:37
Anyone notice there's a hint of Dexy's Midnight Runners in the new single.
basegreen
15-01-2004, 22:54
Yes! I keep hearing Dexys in there... and also... dare I say it... a bit of Roxy Music.
Arch Stanton
16-01-2004, 16:43
The single sounds like Gang of four covering Led Zep's Trampled Underfoot.
No bad thing.
:)
Don't really like Take Me Out. Is that their single? Is that the best track on the album?
Walrus Man
16-01-2004, 19:09
Just bought the single on the strength of the Forums recommendation, (had never heard it), and for the fact that the b-side is called "All For You Sophia", which is my wife's name. :nuts:
Just managed to download a decent quality copy of the Scottish band - the Scars album "Author Author"from 1980 (I think).
The album has never been available on cd so download was the only way to go (I own the album on vinyl but have no record player!).
FF remind me a lot of them minus the funky guitars.They're worth looking out for and should be easy to find...
jmdomain
18-01-2004, 19:09
New single 'Take Me Out' has entered the charts at No.3. Well done Franz Ferdinand.
kjmacphee
18-01-2004, 20:12
It's very good and all that, but am I the only one that thinks the uptempo bit is a barefaced rip-off of Trampled Underfoot by the Zeppelin?!
LouBarlow
18-01-2004, 21:07
No.
Mr Stanton said the same a little bit back.
Pretty respectable place #3, considering you've got all the middle aged women/mums buying the pap idol single (due to STUPID amounts of airtime on things like this morning) and Gary "Radio2" Jules' Madworld :lol:
kjmacphee
19-01-2004, 01:04
Originally posted by LouBarlow
No.
Mr Stanton said the same a little bit back.
Oops ... about four posts up! Soz.
jmdomain
19-01-2004, 08:18
BBC Reportage. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3407779.stm)
The band. (http://www.franzferdinand.co.uk/)
xraystan
19-01-2004, 13:18
Probably going to see these guys next week(i think) at The Academy in Birmingham. They are on with a couple of other bands. Anyone know what I can expect as to a live show?
LouBarlow
19-01-2004, 16:03
I still here LOADS of Kinks-isms throughout this album - no bad thing of course.
jmdomain
19-01-2004, 19:04
Nice to hear that Lou while we're all still here in one piece. ;)
Well those who have listened to the Maroon 5 LP will no doubt know; that there's an element of 'Busted' to it.
'We write our own songs and can play some instruments'. Don't tell porkies....I'll give you instruments....whack.
LouBarlow
19-01-2004, 19:14
Sarky monkey! :lol:
jmdomain
19-01-2004, 20:44
Cheeky :D
I do not condone the use of imaginary violence with blunt implements against those that shall not be named in any shape or form. However, I do condemn Macaroon 5 to the depths of 'busted' approved coconut encrusted music hell.
jmdomain
25-01-2004, 21:42
Just relistening to this.
Don't care what the naysayers say (Boo! Hiss! Go buy some poptarts) this is a stonkingly good record.
LouBarlow
25-01-2004, 22:08
Are there any naysayers?
Im still loving it....and the record.
jmdomain
25-01-2004, 22:13
Lou,
Get some Dogs Die In Hot Cars stuff lodged in your ears asap.
They're quite similar to Franz Ferdinand and they're from Fife!
LouBarlow
25-01-2004, 22:21
Great music and useful public service announcement in one?
I'll give it a whirl.
kjmacphee
26-01-2004, 00:28
Originally posted by LouBarlow
Are there any naysayers?
Im still loving it....and the record.
I love it but ... it's the guilty pleasure you get from The Strokes, Elastica, Interpol and The Kings of Leon (waiting for a flame) ... you love it but you know it's not quite right.
Gah....tickets went on sale todayf or a headlining tour but are sold out in Glasgow......and there aren't even any on E-Bay yet.
Island Swing
28-01-2004, 10:40
Originally posted by jonpeat
Gah....tickets went on sale todayf or a headlining tour but are sold out in Glasgow......and there aren't even any on E-Bay yet.
phoned Tickets Scotland yesterday afternoon and there was loads of tix left for the Liquid Rooms in Edinburgh apparently I'm going to get mine at lunchtime today :)
Didn't even know they were playing Edinburgh......in fact aloud have some for Glasgow left so just bagged 4. At £8 it would be rude not to.
jmdomain
28-01-2004, 14:24
Chart Update for the single 'Take Me Out'.
A fall of four places to number 7.
The Dude
09-02-2004, 17:48
I just bought this today and I'm really enjoying it so far. Did any of you guys manage to get hold of the strictly limited edition version with the extra cd of live tracks? I sadly didn't seem to have much luck with finding it. Seems like this is a genuine limited edition instead of some of the things that way limited edition but are still on sale in years to come.
Radiohead
09-02-2004, 20:14
I picked one of these limited editions up - Basingstoke HMV had a couple and MVC had 4...MVC wanted just £10.99 for it.
I managed to get my hands on the limited edition one, and it is worth it, the live cd is excellent.
I got mine from Virgin Megastores in Glasgow this morning, and I saw them do a half hour set and I got them to sign my album and a couple of the single too, they were really sound blokes, very appreciative of the fans aswell... they weren't pretentious noncey arty types either thankfully, i study at the glasgow school of art (where members of FF graduated i think) and believe me the arty-arrogant-types far outnumber the sound blokes IMO.
Excellent album all in all, for me the single Take Me Out isn't the best on the album, Jacqueline and Dark of the Matinee are superb!
Definitly worth buying...
Iain
jmdomain
09-02-2004, 22:03
Oxford Street HMV had plenty of the limited editions. Got one myself.
Busy weekend. Franz Ferdinand were superb at the NME Awards Show Brixton Academy. They did their usual all pose like the cast of Fame beside the drumkit then go rushing out to their places on stage like Benny Hill rejects. Very good maneouvre. :thumbs:
40 minute set with the keyboardist dancing like your grannie's best. The band may make great tunes but they can't dance. They were the first act on at 7:20pm as they were the last band booked. Funeral For A Friend were headliners. :o
Franz Ferdinand got the crowd going but I do feel they would've had a better reception if they had been on later. They basically played the record from start to finish bar a couple of songs. A very good performance.
The Von Bondies were on next. Was sitting up in the Gods with the relaxed few. Very gothic and Tim Burtonesque up that way. Trees like The Nightmare Before Christmas all around you. Very weird. Made a change though from being in the standing area. Wasn't close enough to see the damage that Jack White did to the singer's face. The Von Bondies have a few good tunes. Good band. Quite rythmic. There was also a guest appearance by Franz Ferdinand on the last couple of their tunes.
The undoubted true headliners by far, were The Rapture. The stage presence these guys have is nothing short of amazing. Ok the singer may sound like your auntie singing karaoke after she's been and lost at the weekly bingo but he certainly struts himself about like a man possessed. Top class. Nice expensive lightshow for the eyes too. :thumbs:
All the bands came on stage during each others sets making the night feel like it was one big party.
Didn't stay for Funeral For A Friend for obvious reasons. Guess. Was not the only one who thought that way judging by the mass exodus of people, leaving the venue.
Met Irvine Welsh too. What a top bloke he is. Just got chatting about Franz Ferdinand's great performance.
Finished the night off playing dominoes with 60 year old black guys in The Goose pub telling me the rules and how to master the art of dominoes. There was about 20 of them all playing their dominoes. Apparently they play there every Sat night chaps.
It was just one of those nights.
Surreal but fun. :thumbs:
Is the LTD Edition in one of those stupid card cases? Or a single size CD case with fold out bit allowing for 2 back to back? Or something else...?
basegreen
10-02-2004, 07:31
Its some bespoke card case which will damage fairly easily. Like a poor digipack.
For those of you who are desperate before they all run out, I ordered one from www.picadillyrecords.co.uk last night and it's just been despatched. £12.99
Arch Stanton
10-02-2004, 11:44
Originally posted by jmdomain
[B
Busy weekend. Franz Ferdinand were superb at the NME Awards Show Brixton Academy. They did their usual all pose like the cast of Fame beside the drumkit then go rushing out to their places on stage like Benny Hill rejects. Very good maneouvre. :thumbs:
[/B]
Mr Stanton went to the Leeds leg of the NME tour and pretty much echo your comments...
Franz Ferdinand :thumbs:
Von Blondies :)
Rapture :clap: :thumbs: :notworthy
Funreal for a friend :razz: :oh-hum: :o
Loads of people left during thier set too which was rather heart warming.
Originally posted by gissing
Its some bespoke card case which will damage fairly easily. Like a poor digipack.
:( Why do they bother.
Originally posted by mattkbishop
:( Why do they bother.
If the musics good enough who cares what packaging its in?
Originally posted by Arch Stanton
Funreal for a friend :razz: :oh-hum: :o
Loads of people left during thier set too which was rather heart warming.
Why? Whats wrong with Funeral For a Friend?
Arch Stanton
10-02-2004, 22:42
Originally posted by TheDude
Why? Whats wrong with Funeral For a Friend?
There dreadful shouty nonsense that whats wrong with them.
Originally posted by Arch Stanton
There dreadful shouty nonsense that whats wrong with them.
I couldnt have put it better myself :lol:
I updated the review with a comment:
Originally Posted on CDtimes (http://www.cdtimes.co.uk)
Well, it was finally released Yesterday (9th Feb) and nearly if not all of the Limited edition albums were snapped up in well under an hour in most shops, its turning into something which is quite limited edition indeed! Only time will tell as to whether this will affect the standard album sales or not, with people holding out for possible new stock or possibly a Version2 re-release?
Is it just me or does Darts Of Pleasure turn into Having An Average Weekend at 2:12 (by Shadowy Men On A Shadowy Planet, and used as the theme tune to The Kids In The Hall)?
rajamaki
13-02-2004, 15:58
listened through & thought, pretty good with some brighter spots, but jaqueline at the starts i was convinced it had to be jonathan richmond on guest vocals
Finally recieved my copy of the Ltd Edition album today!
I'm sure that the Rough Trade shop have been selling the Live album CD for a while now..
Idle Child
23-02-2004, 13:39
Franz Ferdinand's name is derived from here (http://www.lib.byu.edu/~rdh/wwi/1914/ferddead.html). The assination of Franz Ferdinand sparked the 1st world war.
About "Take Me Out". It's a song almost of two halves, but it works. I really like the "So if you're lonely" intro bit and wish the song featured more of that opening sound - and then a minute in, it suddently turns into a disco stomper with the "I say don't you know" shoutie lyrics. Either way, it's great loud.
ian_davies
01-03-2004, 18:10
Fantastic album, getting quite an airing in the car atm.
However, why the hell do I keep on thinking of Joy Division in some songs?!?
AndyWilson
01-03-2004, 19:32
Bit late to this thread, but bought this about a week ago and it's been on my ipod and in the car CD ever since. It reminds me of all those songs I used to tape off of John Peel in the late 70s - usually missing the intro or outro and never knowing who half of the bands were, nestling amongst the Josef Ks, the Fire Engines and the B Movies.
Listing to the CD in the wife's car a couple of hours ago it came to me though - Franz Ferdinand sound like Department S would had they been on Postcard records!!!
...and I thought they were named after the illegitimate lovechild of Franz Bekenbauer and Les Ferdinand...
CraigKORE
08-03-2004, 22:16
Another here that is late to catch up with this album, but I must say that it is a damn fine debut! Few folks already mentioned bands that FF remind them of, I will also add to tht by saying that XTC have came into my head a few times whilst listening..
I've replied to this thread to make it jump to the front !(I hope!).
I love this new band and their happy-go-lucky sound!
The lead singer is a bit of alright too!;) (from Roo's girlfriend).
Island Swing
30-04-2004, 08:07
Blooming fine they were in Edinburgh last night. :thumbs: if you get a chance to see do it while you get the chance in a small venue
Originally posted by Stewart Howie
Blooming fine they were in Edinburgh last night. :thumbs: if you get a chance to see do it while you get the chance in a small venue
They were that mate:thumbs:
I was bouncing about like a lunatic:)
Island Swing
30-04-2004, 11:50
Originally posted by sigur
They were that mate:thumbs:
I was bouncing about like a lunatic:)
I was bobbing about a bit more gently at the back ;) the days of lunacy at the front are sadly past :(
Opinion on Fiery Furnaces?
:cuckoo:
Barney_Tabasco
30-04-2004, 12:19
Fiery Furnaces are ace :thumbs:
jmdomain
30-04-2004, 12:24
Originally posted by Barney_Tabasco
Fiery Furnaces are ace :thumbs:
I echo those sentiments.
Fiery Furnaces are ace :thumbs:
:D ;)
Barney_Tabasco
30-04-2004, 12:35
'I wish i was single again...' :D
jmdomain
30-04-2004, 12:44
'Who's got the biggest ...' :D
I like the Fiery Furnaces too, and Ive got Tropical Ice-Land signed :thumbs: Dont know why I have, it just arrived in the post lol
Originally posted by Stewart Howie
I was bobbing about a bit more gently at the back ;) the days of lunacy at the front are sadly past :(
Opinion on Fiery Furnaces?
:cuckoo:
I thought they were fantastic, the girl reminded me of Janis Joplin.
I thought the Liquid rooms had one of the best atmospheres for a gig in a long while.
I saw Papa M last night at the Venue and he was good. ARe you going to see anything else at the Triptych?
eechiwawa
02-05-2004, 10:18
I also saw the Franz at the Liquid Rooms, and loved all 3 bands. I'm off to the Venue tonight to see Four Tet, Explosions in the Sky plus a few other acts.
Originally posted by eechiwawa
I also saw the Franz at the Liquid Rooms, and loved all 3 bands. I'm off to the Venue tonight to see Four Tet, Explosions in the Sky plus a few other acts.
I was there last night too. :)
11pm start was a killer though as i had been drinking all day and was in a shape:oh-hum:
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