How alone can you FEEL, Franz??

Franz Ferdinand: Tonight
A Review

I have always seemed to have a "thing" for walking tempo songs. I actually realized this when I first heard "Take Me Out" by FF 6ish years ago. I am a sucker for the songs you can strut to, with the heavy/easy bass, and the forced snare and bass drum. Because of this reason, it's no surprise I have a "thing" for Franz Ferdinand. There is no mistaking their sound, meaning as soon as you hear the drum beat and the bass line, you know who you're dealing with. Alex's voice is just the icing on the cake.

This is no different with their new album, Tonight. More than half the songs, including No You Girls, Twilight Omens, Bite Hard, What She Came For, and Can't Stop Feeling have THAT sound; The Franz sound. If you are a fan of their first self titled album, you will fall in love with Tonight for theses reasons, and then some.

The flow of the album is simple and well put together...with the exception of the first track, Ulysses. In just about every song, Alex makes us feel his longing, his loss, and his undying love for someone who thinks nothing of the same...except Ulysses. They are bored, they want to get high (they found a new way). From then on it's dirty works on calculators, flirting with the girls, longing and dreaming of what once was, and reaching out to one Katherine.

Which brings me to one of my favorite pieces about the album. We hear "No You Girls", (you know, one of them walking tempo, dancetastic, clap with me types that I LOVE). it feels like the boys are out on a crazy, club filled night, out with women, watching them, wanting them, before they realize that boys really don't always care how a girl feels. We go through some dreams, and then at the end, we are RE introduced to a more clam, lovely "No You Girls". However, this time, Alex is alone. He is thinking and wishing for the ONE Katherine to some day understand his love for her...she just doesn't understand how the boy feels. Almost like a "Julia" by Lennon(though minus the mom thing).

It's a story, when put all together (except for...Ulysses). And a beautiful one. Though,I must admit my LOVE for the original version of Lucid Dreams (maybe with the ravetastic ending of the new one added on to it). Aside from that, it's fun, it's sad, it's sexy, and you will love it.

------------------------------------------------------------

Ulysses: Probably the most popular single from this album. It's the only one that doesn't seem to fit with the rest, so it's good that it's at the beginning. It's about finding a new way to be unbored...let's get hiiiigh. It's alright.

Turn It On: The beginning of their "love" story. He forgives, and forgives, and can't stop thinking of her...but it doesn't seem like she agrees. It's beat is simple, like the chorus. One of the more forgettable tracks, but still good.

No You Girls: This is the audience participation track. Clap it UP! Probably the sexiest song, and the most mind altering one. He goes on about how girls don't know how they make boys feel until he realizes that...well...boys don't care how girls feel. Walking. Tempo.

Send Him Away: One of my favorites lyrically. As far as the music goes, their European roots come out, which is something I wish America would embrace. Love it.

Twilight Omens: One of the least Franzlikeish songs. But that's not a bad thing! Change is good. Also one of my favorite lyrically. It also reminds me of good 80's stuff. The Talking Heads come to mind.

Bite Hard: My first favorite of the album (aside from Lucid Dreams orig.). You don't know what to expect in the beginning...then all the sudden walking tempo GALORE! (Honest). Fav.

What She Came For: Another audience love, I'm sure. "WHOA/LOOK OUT!" Hard beat, download it.

Live Alone: One of the stressed points in the album. He wants to live alone, and doesn't mind it. Put this with The Killers "Joy Ride" and we have a new wave of disco coming on.

Can't Stop Feeling: Another new kind of sound from Franz. And like the former, it's a good thing. Another dancy, sexy, smoky song. Mmmmmmohyeaaahhhh

Lucid Dreams:...umm...I miss the original. This one seems out of wack, but maybe I have a bias. I love the random ending. Full of synth and rave! Put THAT at the end of the original, and you have orgasmic music making.

Dream Again: They slow it down, finally. Well, it's the end of the album, so it fits. Lyrically, great. You can hear how much they have matured in 4 years (...let's not take that long again! We missed you...!)

Katherine Kiss Me: Reintroduced to No You girls, but it's much more intimate. It's the first time a girls name has been mentioned in this love story, which makes you really feel for him. Katherine, KISS HIM for God's sake!

I say 4/5 Staaarrrzzz

Download: No You Girls/Bite Hard/What She Came For/Can't Stop Feeling