Franz Ferdinand
A record-label bidding-war, secret-gigs over the course of a year which resided amidst student-bedrooms to arty, in-the-know rock-rave gatherings in crumbling, old buildings. Yes, Franz Ferdinand’s immediate ascent seemed guaranteed.
And then we heard the Scots foursome’s music. Yes, drummer Paul Thomson, bassist Robert Hardy, guitarist Nicholas McCarthy and vocalist Alex Kapranos have mustered the fine art of well-dressed, impeccably-versed, sophisticated pop, with jerky, punchy tunes to boot, losing none of the cred in the process. Perhaps it’s their association to the Domino record-company – which spawned the find-it-if-you-can, debut, almost-a-hit ‘Darts Of Pleasure’ in the late-summer of ‘03 – or just merely their overall panache, yet the feeling is FF are leading a wave-nouveau of vital British talent.
Fittingly, the band’s 2004 began swimmingly. A headline tour, not for months yet, sold out immediately, and their second single – the now legendary ‘Take Me Out’ – is an era-classic, having clung to the charts and refused to leave ever since. Just when you thought it was all too good – their debut-LP, due out now, is the best record by a British indie-band since the Britpop years. Praise these noble and stylish fellows, for the adulation is most duly warranted.
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