Franz Ferdinand
Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action
Reviewed by: Stephen Krock
As an old as dirt 28-year-old, the name Franz Ferdinand is synonymous with “hip new band.” They managed to hold onto that fresh, adrenaline-pumping feel from their debut through their sophomore effort. Now that they’re a decade older and without a release since 2009, they’ve a fair bit to prove. Can they break back into the mainstream in this dance-heavy age? Or are they doomed to the hip. underground, alternapunk outskirts? Well. I could see both.
The disco drenched “Right Action” and the catchy, radio-friendly “Love Illumination” deserve a place on any dance floor. While the Beatles-esque “Fresh Strawberries” and organically raucous garage bandy “Bullet” allow our old friends to keep their street cred. One thing you can’t deny Franz Ferdinand is their uncanny ability to create diamond sharp hooks that are instantly recognizable. It’s difficult to leave any of their albums without at least one guitar riff snuggled into the wrinkles of your brain. Right Thoughts… is no exception. They continue to step up to the plate in their playfulness. The Halloweeny “Evil Eye” and Scooby Doo chase scene jam “Treason! Animals” are delightfully odd, but not to the point of being alienating.
While nothing revolutionary, Right Thoughts… proves its point. Franz Ferdinand absolutely still has a place in the cultural zeitgeist. Welcome back, boys.
Rating: Badass
