What do you get when you combine rock beats, electronic Euro-pop and the name of an archduke?
If you guessed Franz Ferdinand, you know your stuff. I’m not sure whether it’s the keyboards or high-powered electric guitars but no matter where I am, if any one of their songs come on, I can’t help myself from dancing to the point of borderline public humiliation. Typically I describe music as morning music, driving music or even gym music, but the best description I have for Franz Ferdinand’s style is simply ‘unique music.’
Officially forming back in 2002, the band of four actually began careers years earlier in four separate bands during the 1990s, doing what they love best, creating music.
It’s so rare to see the formation of a real band in today’s world where so many reality shows and television contests hand out record deals like money being thrown at the stimulus package. The idea of becoming a celebrity has certainly outweighed talent. But don’t let me fool you; this group definitely has met the requirements to become successful musicians. But if your still don’t recognize their name, take a blender and add half a cup The Doors, half a cup The Rolling Stones and a pinch of 80’s pop and you’ll have Franz Ferdinand.
When first starting out, the band members actually belonged to several different groups before combining forces. It wasn’t until 2002 that the band began recording their debut album with Tore Johansson, the same producer of Cardigans. They quickly hit it off and the next year, released their first single, ‘Take Me Out.’ ‘I say don’t you know, you say you don’t go, I say take me out! I say you don’t show, don’t move, time is slow, I say take me out!’ The single immediately made its way to number three on the UK and number twelve in Australia but somehow, only made it to thirty-four in America. That same year, the band won several awards for the single and was compared to powerhouse groups like Duran Duran, The Rolling Stones and even The Beatles, yet ‘Take Me Out’ remained the only song off the band’s self titled album to make any waves in the music industry.
The band went back to their passion and began recording more music in Scotland and in October released their second album, ‘You Could Have It So Much Better.’ While in the studio, the band decided to broaden their music range and record some tracks without their trademark disco-pop sound. Despite their efforts, the album did not receive many stellar reviews, with many feeling the album was rushed.
Unfazed the unsatisfying reviews, the band continued touring with their album but held off recording their third; deciding to take it slow and focus on their sound. It was not until late 2007 that the band went back to recording and spent an entire year developing and perfecting the new tracks. In late January of this year, the band finally released their third album entitled, ‘Tonight: Franz Ferdinand.’ The first single off the album, ‘Ulysses,’ is already starting off well and shows the band is back to their original sound. ‘Well I found a new way, I found a new way, C’mon and use me I don’t need your sympathy. My Ulysses my Ulysses no, bet you are now, boy, so sinister, so sinister last night was wild.’ If you cannot tell by the lyrics, this band is certainly not drab or boring.
While they still remain somewhat underground here in America, I would say it’s only a matter of time before this album makes it big here and around the rest of the globe. Whether you have already fallen in love with their retro sound and unique style or you are just now becoming allured to avant-garde persona, you must take a listen to their new album. Your foot just might start tapping.
To find out more about Franz Ferdinand go to, http://www.franzferdinand.co.uk or http://www.myspace.com/franzferdinand.
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