Franz Ferdinand, the band with the best-tailored suits in rock, returns with their sophomore effort "You Could Have It So Much Better."
The album, released Tuesday, sticks to a formula similar to their first self-titled smash released last year. Their first single "Take Me Out" permeated the airwaves with its irresistibly catchy lyrics and great beat to groove to.
Alex Kapranos, the lead singer and guitar player in Franz, said their first album was intended to make girls dance. The goal of their new release, according to Kapranos, is to make the girls cry.
Although the album does have a few ballads, or at least as close to a ballad as Franz can get, I have yet to shed a tear. I'm too busy tapping my foot and dancing while I type.
The album begins with a track entitled "The Fallen." A standout track on an album full of blazing guitars, driving beats as well as smart and often suggestive lyrics.
Kapranos is a principle songwriter along with the group's other guitar player Nicholas McCarthy.
The music doesn't necessarily overpower the lyrics, but listeners are often too busy dancing their cares away to notice the tongue-in-cheek humor in Franz's songs.
The album's first single "Do You Want To" is another example of what makes Franz stand out among their contemporaries.
Last year Franz ushered in a semi-revolution of dance rock from bands such as The Killers, Bloc Party and The Futureheads.
Even though Franz is the only act out of this crop to release a sophomore disc, they managed to play it safe but also to take a few chances.
These are often characteristics for a band that has staying power and likes to give their fans what they want, while also perfecting what makes them one of America's favorite groups.
Franz has nearly reached icon status in their United Kingdom homeland. Nearly every British music magazine ranging from New Musical Express to Q has given the feisty Scots glossy cover stories and glowing reviews.
As if all of this praise weren't enough, Franz is known for some of the highest-energy live shows around.
At several live shows lead man Kapranos has been referred to as, "the man with the beat to make you move your feet," by band members.
This statement could not be more true as Kapranos and company take their adoring audience along for a high-octane performance complete with sing-alongs and sharp-dressed men.
"You Could Have It So Much Better" may not stray far from the band's first release, but for fans of their special brand of dance rock, listeners will not be disappointed.
Some listeners cannot get the chorus of "Do You Want To" out of their heads.
Judging by the rest of the album, nothing about Franz will be leaving your head anytime soon.
Kapranos says it best with the lyric, "Lucky, lucky, you're so lucky."
My thoughts exactly.
