Hate their skinny ties if you must, but Franz Ferdinand has done it again with their new album, You Could Have It So Much Better … With Franz Ferdinand. It may seem at first that the band is simply re-hashing the same disco-rock formula that propelled them to Billboard chart stardom with their self-titled debut album in 2004, but this album proves to be more multi-dimensional and musically aggressive than their initial signature sound.
Although this is only Franz Ferdinand’s second album, it is nothing short of evolutionary. The band seems to be progressing in a more sensitive direction without sacrificing any scrap of rock potential. Those looking to get their groove on will not be disappointed as the Britpop ballads are contrasted with rock-infused dance songs reminiscent of their previous hit “Take Me Out.”
The album opens triumphantly with the lyrically intense “The Fallen,” segueing into another danceable potential hit, “Do You Want To.” Among the several songs that would make even the most stoic listener want to rock out, it’s refreshing to hear a few nice slow tunes. Piano-driven songs like “Eleanor Put Your Boots On” or “Fade Together” leave breathing room between punkish numbers like “Evil and a Heathen” and “You Could Have It So Much Better.”
Even though they have made an obvious effort to change from their last album, tracks such as “You’re the Reason I’m Leaving” and “What You Meant” seem almost too predictably Franz Ferdinand. Despite the emerging versatility of these talented Glaswegians, it would be hasty to place them in the legendary ranks of similarly styled bands such as Pulp or Blur. Still, You Could Have It So Much Better is evidence that they are certainly on the right track.
