Franz Ferdinand Album: “You Could Have It So Much Better”

I don't understand why people are so disapointed. Why do people want another debut from this band. They've already given it to you. "You Could Have It So Much Better" is NOT the same as their debut. It is progression. Why would you want another "Take Me Out"? No. Although I LOVE their glorious debut, I'm glad this not a replica.

However, Franz Ferdinand still radiates thier sexy tongue in cheek attitude only they've matured enough to incorperate "ballads" like the very Beatles inspired "Eleanor Put Your boots On" and "Fade Together".

"You Could Have It So Much Better" somewhat reminds me of "Veni Vedi Vicious" by The Hives a tad bit (and that's not bad; it's very very good). If there every was a complaint that these songs sound similar to one another then it's probably with "You're The Reason I'm Leaving" and "Well That Was Easy". These two great songs could very easily become one. Try and listen to them back to back. You'll hear the similarity but perphaps Franz has done this on purpose. Tracks 6-8 (to me) is a trilogy of three stages of breaking up. All around the album is all delicious and sweet. My favorite tracks are "This Boy (super sexy song), The Fallen, and What You Meant". Noticed how I didn't mention anything about "Do You Want To". Opps.

Franz Ferdinand enjoyed great success on thier first album, self titled debut that was magnificent. Many hits were created, and a deep fanbase was created. Many people woundered whether Franz Ferdinand would fall to the infamous sophomore slump. Many bands spend years and years writing thier songs and that is why thier first albums are so spectacular. Then when a studio wants a new album, they rush to write it and it isn't as good. Franz's second LP You Could Have It So Much Better is the total polar opposite.

In about a year after thier first LP release these guys came fresh off the bat with great new material. These Scottish revolutionaries return with a second album of smart guitar hooks, and amazing indie dance beats. Even though thier first single "Do You Want To" makes this album seem like it will be a more fast paced dance rock album, but it's not. There are moments of genuine contemplation in "Fade Together" and "Eleanor Put Your Boots On." There is magnificent balance that is strung together by these guys in this wounderful album.

You Could Have It So Much Better leaves you eager for more Franz, instead of concerned on where their careers are headed. Franz is taking over modern rock and roll and are rising stars, this album is great. Franz Ferdinand made music better indeed.

There should be a warning label on this album that keeps you from listening to it in the car. When I first bought it, I had no idea what to expect, and found myself dancing while trying not to run into other drivers. This is another instance of hooking you in and not letting go, and though there are a few slower moments, they are wisely few and far between. I also haven't laughed as hard at an album, not in the Weird Al sense, but at how fun the songs are. Yes, some of the lyrics are goofy (You're lucky lucky, You're so lucky!) but the songs themselves, the time and key changes in unusual places are jarring, but somehow flow with the rest of the song. Take Well That Was Easy, which goes from a driving rock tempo to a a more danceable tempo and back again. You're thrown for a second, but can easily adapt. The overall feeling you come away with from So Much Better is the infectious sense of fun, of what a great time it must have been to be in the studio with these guys. The record is full of little surprises that are always a delight, even after you've heard it enough times to anticipate them.

Franz Ferdinand returns with their second breakthrough album, showing just how good they really can make themselves sound musically.

THE FALLEN--The best choice of a song to start the album off with, unless you like to save the best for last. Hands down, the absoloute best song of the entire year. Nothing yet has come close. Featuring vocals by Alex Kapranos, Nick McCarthy, and Paul Thompson.

DO YOU WANT TO--Another very good song, though this song features more pop music than THE FALLEN. But a great song nevertheless, and fun to sing along to as well. Featuring vocals by Alex Kapranos, Nick McCarthy, and Paul Thompson.

THIS BOY--Okay, nowhere near as good as any of the others. But that doesn't mean it's bad. It's just that the other two were so good that this one is rather dwarfed in comparison. Featuring by Alex Kapranos, Nick McCarthy and Paul Thomson.

WALK AWAY--One of the gentlest songs by the band that doesn't feature piano yet. It has the sound of the type of song that could be played at the end scene of PULP FICTION, right before the closing credits. Nice acoustic sound. Featuring vocals by Alex Kapranos and Nick McCarthy.

EVIL AND A HEATHEN--Somewhere along the ranking of THIS BOY. Has a nice dance rythem with the guitar sound, but the singing could be more interesting. Featuring vocals by Alex Kapranos and Nick McCarthy.

YOU'RE THE REASON I'M LEAVING--Pretty good song. Enjoyable to listen to, but annoying to get stuck in your head for too long. Featuring vocals by Alex Kapranos, Nick McCarthy, and Paul Thompson.

ELEANOR PUT YOUR BOOTS ON--The first piano song. More of a ballad than anything, written about Alex's girlfriend. I'm rather uninterested by it. Featuring vocals by Alex Kapranos.

WELL THAT WAS EASY--Starts out as a fast paced rock song and gradually slows down. Rather good song, good to listen to once in a while. Featuring vocals by Alex Kapranos and Nick McCarthy.

WHAT YOU MEANT--This song has the most awesome rock guitar introduction in the whole album. However, it turns rather acoustic after that, and loses it's interesting touch. But as soon as the rock interlude comes back, it picks up all over again. Featuring vocals by Alex Kapranos, Nick McCarthy, and Paul Thompson.

I'M YOUR VILLAIN--I haven't listened to this song very much, but from what I remember, it's a fairly good song. Featuring vocals by Alex Kapranos and Nick McCarthy.

YOU COULD HAVE IT SO MUCH BETTER--The second-to-best song on the album. Has an awesome guitar solo and a great tune. A fabulous song. Featuring vocals by Alex Kapranos and Nick McCarthy.

FADE TOGETHER--Another piano song; too soft for my taste. Featuring vocals by Alex Kapranos.

OUTSIDERS--A more electric-sounding cousin of WALK AWAY. A fairly good song too. Closes off the album pretty well. Featuring vocals by Alex Kapranos, Nick McCarthy, and Paul Thomson

The debut, granted, was killer amazing stuff. It's what The Strokes should have been and should have sounded like (in fact Take Me Out with its Strokes-like intro instantly bests the entire Strokes catalog, and we realize we've been duped into believing The Strokes were the next best thing -- believe me, you're better off getting the first three Cars records).

But You Could Have It So Much Better proves that their debut was a starting point not an ending. Franz Ferdinand easily could have recycled the same sounds/songs for the second record (especially becuase there wasn't that much time between records and touring) but they took it to the next level. Songs like Outsiders, This Boy and The Fallen still are instantly recognizable as Franz songs but somehow sound just enough different from the debut to be unique. And songs such as Walk Away and Eleanor prove they're ready for experimentation -- but experimentation that isn't interesting to hear once then skip over.

Indeed, this is an album that grows better with subsequent listens and shows growth without abandoning the catchy dance style you loved 'em for in the first place. Love it.