Tonight's the Night (Tonight: Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand)

Member Name: blackviolets

Product:	Tonight: Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand
Date:	14/04/09 (18 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: something a bit different

Disadvantages: n/a

I have always been a fan of Franz Ferdinand yet so far I have been unable sadly to watch them play live. The albums they release will be as close as I get to them. Thankfully they have once again produced a kicking third album!
Tonight was released late January and I have been unable to stop playing it. Lead singer Alex Kapranos stated that "The last record was...like a teenager having sex. This one's a bit more assured and a bit friendlier for the dance floor." And to be honest in an odd kind of way I agree. Not that I didn't like their last album but their most recent wipes it under the carpet.

The songs on this album still have the thumping guitar and drums backing but they've been added with slightly electro style sounds. Making it stand out more so in difference to the others. I get the feeling that they were told they needed to do something a bit more different, to step away from the music that they're most recognised for.
It has taken them about 2 years to complete and it was most definetly worth the wait. It contains 12 cracking songs which I fail to find one at fault.

Ulysess:~ The opening track. Starting off with a slow drumming thud and Kapranos singing quite softly before it kicks off. Lots of electro sounds in the background. Does actually have a few traces from tracks off their first album
Turn it on:~ A more upbeat tempo with the recognisable voice singing from the start. In a rare occassion you can hear the other members of the bands voices! This has a steady rhythm going throughout its 2 minutes 22 seconds and is mainly guitar based.

No You Girls:~ I first heard this song on Jonathon Ross and it is my most definet favourite! It starts off with an electric guitar running through the song, with once again the steady beat until you get to the chorus where you can't help but sing along to they simple lyrics.
Send him Away:~ Slightly mellow tune and quiet singing and base line. This is a steady song and doesn't change at all till about half way and even then it's only a tiny bit.

Twilight Omens:~ Electro sounding mini introduction with guitar over the top. In true Ferdinand fashion the music stops for a few secongs whilst Alex sings. This one has used quite a bit o electro sounding keyboard tunes.
Bite Hard:~Very quiet start where you might feel the need to turn it up to hear it. It takes about 40 seconds for the drums and guitar get the song started.

What she came for:~ Drum and keyboard starting. Another quietish entry and it doesn't stop the same kind of rhythm throughout.
Live Alone:~ This has some kind of old fashioned computer game sound to it! It's not particularly fast till the chorus where it speeds up a bit. The first couple of lines are also very easy to sing along to. This one is a lot more keyboard sounding based.

Can't Stop Feeling:~ This has got a cracking introduction. Thumping drums and guitars before the lyrics start in. The baseline features continually and in places they've put an echo on the singing. A song you can't stop tapping your feet to or humming along to the background music.
Lucid Dreams:~ This is a mellow song compared to the others, but the drums do speed up towards the chorus but not by much. Although I do like all the songs on this album, this one I find a tad bit, dare I say it, boring!

Dream Again:~ Quite an eerie start to a song. Voices sound as though they are on echo and you have the keyboard tinkling along but not blasting out too much tunes. It is a slow song but in an interesting way. Not like a ballad, which I find it hard to believe that the Franz would do.
Katherine Kiss Me:~ Another slow one and it is the only song which distinctively reminds me of songs from their last two albums. Trouble is I can't work out which song it is. It doesn't have any keyboard/electro sound to it. Has stuck to the piano. Nice way to finish off the album!

Overall I have appreciated this songs. It is good when bands do something a little bit different, if not much. Like I said I have enjoyed all the of Franz Ferdinands albums, but for the time being this is my favourite. Although maybe it could be because it's still quite new.
Stand out Track = No You Girls

One You Might Want to skip = Lucid dreams
You can get it for just under £7 on Amazon.

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