Franz Ferdinad are back ... Finally!

Franz Ferdinand

It has become borderline rude how long Franz Ferdinand has made us wait for their 3rd comeback. They redefined the popularity of 'indie' and it seems to have stemmed from a formula in which they are able to preserve their popularity which is lacking in most flimsy indie bands today, whose substance is lacking (the kooks and Kaiser chiefs to name a few who couldn’t keep their buzz for long). However what lies behind Franz is not just sharp suits and a good haircut, but actual talent, and proves that it can be ok to be mainstream, something that music snobs (like myself) hate to admit, and although we lost our underground favourite years ago, they still hold an important place in my heart, being one of the first proper bands (bar Steps) who I went to see. The last album, in the wake of an astonishing debut felt lacking in its achievements, probably more due to expectation that actual results. So it’s back to basics with their new single "Ulysses", with Alex's vocals stepping forward and their quirky experimentalism taking a huge reappearance. Their is a dramatic theatricality within this track that fluctuates from the haunting to the manic, maintaining an edge which is never quite pinpointed. The shift away from their usually stylized sound has paid off with a rough and raw demo like approach. It becomes quickly apparent that this song live will be an epic triumph, with recording not doing it the justice it deserves. The guitars are clashing with e metallic sting, dropping the ostentatious and almost self indulgent musical complexities they developed in the last album, the drums pound with a refreshing simplicity and each component is isolated to highlight their importance. There is an essence that their youth has been recaptured, throwing caution to the wind and not placing so much emphasis on perfection has paradoxically resulted in just that, and although the lyrics have an intriguing ambiguity, their message couldn't be clearer, their eagerness to impress once again is for all to witness!

Hannah xxx