Album Review: Franz Ferdinand; You Could Have it So Much Better

When these guys first started getting radio play about a year ago, I knew the rock world was onto something special. Franz Ferdinand hit the scene hard and fast with a sound that mainstream rock had not heard in over a decade. Take one part Elvis Presley, one part Oasis, and a heapin' helpin' of the Sex Pistols. Give ‘em a cheap bottle of gin, the keys to a seedy motel room and let Bob Dylan watch, and you've got Franz Ferdinand. Their latest album, You Could Have it So Much Better, lives up to, and surpasses all expectations. This is what rock and roll was meant to be: Hard, gritty, and sexy. The simple dynamic of two guitars, a bass, and a drum-set that has been the foundation of every great rock group remains a winning combination here with Franz Ferdinand's return to the traditional sounds that heralded the birth of punk in the late 1970's. The result is a modern punk without the angst and pretension that's been flooding the rock world since the mid 90's.

You Could Have it So Much Better's 13 tracks round out at just over forty minutes, with only two tracks topping four minutes. This means that it's a fairly quick listen, with no tracks overstaying their welcome. Granted, I'm all for lengthy rock ballads, but sometimes you just need a short, fast song that you can get up and rock out to. Each track here is a catchy gem that will become a personal favourite with at least one person. I'm particularly drawn to the slower "Eleanor Put Your Boots On" with its acoustic sounds and winsome piano riffs. This instrumental odd-man smack dab in the middle of the CD keeps the album fresh and gives the listener a cool-down before firing him back into the fray with the energetic "Well That Was Easy". Guaranteed, there will be quite a few fans of the funky "I'm Your Villain" that alternates between almost jazzy verses and the fast-paced, percussion-driven chorus. From there, the titular track cruises in with shades of Joey Ramone, cool and self-assured. These guys don't need to shout because they know you're listening. The piano and acoustic sounds return in "Fade Together" that will make listeners wish they owned more 1960's era Brit-Rock to put on a mix tape with it.

Granted, Franz Ferdinand isn't for everyone. If all you're looking for in your rock and roll is screaming and power chords, skip these guys and find the latest power alternative group that found a label to produce ‘em and a morning slot on MTV. If you can't take a fast pace and like music that'll cradle your ears with soft tones, leave Franz Ferdinand in the rack and head towards the easy listening section. If you like good old fashioned rock and roll that will get you out of your seat and dancing around, if you miss the days when music was just plain fun, or if you are sick and tired of all the heady, moody junk that's been touted as "modern rock" for the past 10 years, Franz Ferdinand's You Could Have it So Much Better was made for you. Between you and me, this guy's hoping it's a signal of more great things to come in the world of Rock.

A big fat 6 out of 5.

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