Franz Ferdinand. Globe-straddling superstars, media darlings and style icons. But despite all the fame and adulation they have received, a feeling remains that they are a just a tiny bit overrated, that they aren’t as wonderfully brilliant as the copious awards, front covers and record sales would have you believe. Not that they would ever admit it, but there is a lot of pressure on the fantastiche four to create an album that is of at least an equal quality to their first, and to prove to us all that there is a reason for the hype. Forget Alex Kapranos’ haircut, the stripy jumpers or the new colour scheme; what really matters is whether or not “You Could…” is, to put it bluntly, any good.

From the moment that the first hook of track one “The Fallen” seeps into your consciousness, the answer is a definitive “YES”. Upbeat, glorious and frankly amazing, full of “woo-hoos”, “la-las” and tales of drinking champagne (obviously), it does what all opening tracks should; plunge the listener straight into the album and leave them practically begging for more. And more they get. You already know the stomp fest of single “Do You Want To”, which loses none of its zing here; “This Boy”, “Evil And A Heathen” and the title track, meanwhile, are the non-stop, angular and spikey Franz we all know with added dynamism, and closer “Outsiders” is very very groovy.

As dazzling as these tracks are, they are basically an updated version of the, admittingly rather fabulous, Franz of their debut. It’s the more low key songs present which show the greatest departure. The best is “Walk Away”. Though definitely a ballad, it’s still incredibly stylish; comparing the end of a relationship to “Radio 4” being “static” is perhaps one of the enigmatic lyrical masterstrokes of the year. It’s also an ideal showcase for Alex Kapranos’ addictively honest and candid voice, an underrated but vital piece of his band’s awesome armour.

Franz Ferdinand will never overcome the fact that they are just too clever, too sophisticated and too achingly hip to be a band that can really be loved; a band to be taken to heart and cherished as that one group that you’d give your soul for. But they have a confidence that exudes from every aspect of this follow-up. Not arrogance, but such an infectious surety in what they are doing that you can’t help but agree that this is a very good album. Though it will not have such a cataclysmic effect on the music scene as its predecessor, it is no less impressive. The four men of Franz Ferdinand have pulled it off again, and must be applauded. Roll on number three.

What's your view? Comment on the Forum

Other discussions on the SoundsXP forums right now...

Spread the word: Email this article

NAT JOHNSON - Interview

BROKEN FAMILY BAND - Live

SLOW DOWN TALLAHASSEE - Live

WAKE THE PRESIDENT - Live

WAVE PICTURES - Live

SCREAMING TEA PARTY - Live

DARREN HAYMAN - Live

SPEEDMARKET AVENUE - Live

BRAKES - Interview

OF MONTREAL - Live