Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action
by Franz Ferdinand
  • Record Label: Domino
  • Release Date: Aug 27, 2013
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 110 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 95 out of 110
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 110
  3. Negative: 4 out of 110
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  1. WadeVS
    Aug 28, 2013
    9
    Upon first listen Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Actions will probably sound like the Franz Ferdinand that jiggered and sliced their way onto the scene in 2004 (if you can remember back that far). Of their four studio albums this one does most resemble their debut in my opinion. It has the same brash upbeat energy. There are moments when the band experiments with psychedelic synth.Upon first listen Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Actions will probably sound like the Franz Ferdinand that jiggered and sliced their way onto the scene in 2004 (if you can remember back that far). Of their four studio albums this one does most resemble their debut in my opinion. It has the same brash upbeat energy. There are moments when the band experiments with psychedelic synth. These tracks really stand out in contrast to the guitar heavy tracks. All in all this might be a return to roots for FF. But those roots were damn likeable so I say go for it!… Expand
  2. Mab_987
    Sep 20, 2013
    9
    With this album Franz Ferdinand is still keeping their brand of catchy, dancey & uniquely charming indie rock alive after nearly a decade. Most of the best traits of this album can be found in its 2 current singles, “Love Illumination" and the semi-title track “Right Action”, between its infectious hooks & tight precise grooves. “Right Action” was the first taste of the album people got &With this album Franz Ferdinand is still keeping their brand of catchy, dancey & uniquely charming indie rock alive after nearly a decade. Most of the best traits of this album can be found in its 2 current singles, “Love Illumination" and the semi-title track “Right Action”, between its infectious hooks & tight precise grooves. “Right Action” was the first taste of the album people got & it immediately became among my most anticipated of the year, despite me having never heard an album of theirs in full. It seems like every Franz Ferdinand album has that one instant classic track with a great simple riff, easily likeable lyrics & anthemic chorus that becomes a hit to some extent, and here that song is “Love Illumination”. It's that song that when the band is playing shows 20 years from now, most of the crowd will sing along with every word of in the chorus. The deep cuts are worth noting too, like the breakneck garage rock of “Bullet”, the philosophical psych-pop of “Fresh Strawberries”, the goofy but fun lyrics in the surf-rock inspired “Treason! Animals.”, and “Stand on the Horizon”, which sounds like if Bloc Party went to a disco during the A Weekend in the City sessions. The last 3 tracks in particular are among the more experimental of the bunch, going for something a bit more subtle, creepy & emotional without losing much of the engagement of the first half. The hooks aren't exactly as immediate but the cool mood they set more than makes up for that, and helps keep the album from coming off one-dimensional. Still, that's not to say this disrupts the track flow, because they manage to transition from one feeling to another in the track order expertly. I really can't think of a single thing to say against this album. It's well-written, impeccable instrumentally, packed to the brim with catchy melodies & not one track is a throwaway, even if the last half doesn't bash you over the head with earworm hooks quite as much. I suppose there's nothing extremely awesome about the lyrics, but they sound great with the music & have some sense of cohesion, and in that respect I think they succeed. I'm gonna have to make sure to listen to their other albums at some point, cause this is a really great full-length first impression.

    Top 5 tracks: Love Illumination, Right Action, The Universe Expanded, Evil Eye, Treason! Animals.
    Score: 90/100    … Expand
  3. linx21
    Sep 18, 2013
    7
    Come on ppl, why such a low score. It's not their best but it's still amazing album after few listens you will just love it. Must say that Evil Eye reminds of No You Girls very much and few more songs sound repetitive but still, album is great. Brief Encounters probably my favorite track from this LP.
  4. BKM
    Aug 29, 2013
    7
    Franz Ferdinand set the bar so incredibly high with each album they release that it would be easy to under appreciate their latest effort. Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action lacks the killer hooks of its predecessors but it's still a fast and furious dance/rock LP that never fails to entertain. Think of it as a B level essay turned in by students capable of A material.
  5. AcePhoenix007
    Jul 29, 2014
    10
    This is hands-down one of the best albums I have ever heard in my entire life. Pretty much every track was just downright amazing. A fantastic album by a fantastic band, no doubt.
  6. adhamhany
    Feb 25, 2014
    9
    I am a big fan of their debut album that was released back in 2004. For some strange reason, i didn't listen to the second and third albums. Perhaps because it was said by many that they were departures from their original style.

    This album, however, can be considered a return to form. It has the same style, coupled by experimentation in some tracks. The result is a very amazing album,    I am a big fan of their debut album that was released back in 2004. For some strange reason, i didn't listen to the second and third albums. Perhaps because it was said by many that they were departures from their original style.

    This album, however, can be considered a return to form. It has the same style, coupled by experimentation in some tracks. The result is a very amazing album, and one of the best to be released in 2013.    … Expand
  7. Ricko
    Aug 20, 2014
    8
    Franz Ferdinand have always had a talent for writing quirk and catchy pop songs and this talent is as evident as ever on this, their 4th studio album. "Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action" has the trademark Franz sound and is especially close in style to their excellent debut. While some might lament the perceived lack of stylistic progression, the main point is that this is highlyFranz Ferdinand have always had a talent for writing quirk and catchy pop songs and this talent is as evident as ever on this, their 4th studio album. "Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action" has the trademark Franz sound and is especially close in style to their excellent debut. While some might lament the perceived lack of stylistic progression, the main point is that this is highly enjoyable pop music and should be appreciated on its own merits. The highlights for me include "Love Illumination", "Stand on the Horizon" and "Bullet". This album is as strong and consistent as the best work to be found in their back catalog so if you like what they've done before you are sure to appreciate this album.… Expand
  8. BrosefStalin
    Nov 17, 2013
    7
    This is a 'fun' album. There isnt a lot of depth or anything particularly special about this album. That being said, there isnt a lot holding it back either. The songs are catchy and playful, which Franz Ferdinand has down pretty well. They haven't brought anything new to the table, but theyre still doing a great job at what they know. Overall, I was satisfied with this album.
  9. MusicGeek419
    Nov 12, 2013
    8
    I will admit, I was a little disappointed with the last Franz Ferdinand album. But this brings me right back to the excitement I felt when I heard their debut. My only gripe is that the first three tracks on the album have been released in some form as singles. This might not give some the incentive to listen through the entire album, which they should. It is worth it.
  10. kaiofelipe
    Nov 16, 2021
    9
    This album is so good that I still haven't decided which song is my favorite one. The first four tracks (from Right Action to Stand on the Horizon) are very danceable, and all of them should be singles. There are also more introspective ones, like Fresh Strawberries and The Universe Expanded, and the lyrics of both of them, which talk about mortality and transience, are very good.This album is so good that I still haven't decided which song is my favorite one. The first four tracks (from Right Action to Stand on the Horizon) are very danceable, and all of them should be singles. There are also more introspective ones, like Fresh Strawberries and The Universe Expanded, and the lyrics of both of them, which talk about mortality and transience, are very good.

    (Original review: September 2013 - 10/10, and I thought Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action was perhaps "their best album since the first one." Nowadays I would put it in 4th place)    … Expand
  11. ScottA1A
    Nov 24, 2013
    10
    It's been waaay too long since FF put out new music! I have to say this is a smashing success! Enjoy the rollicking tunes and catchy lyrics. Heavy play in the rotation!!!
  12. chris_g95
    Nov 17, 2014
    9
    With the four year gap between Franz Ferdinand's previous album "Tonight:Franz Ferdinand" and this album many believed that they would return with another album which wouldn't return to their previous highs which other bands from the same period as Franz Ferdinand have experienced, such as The Strokes, However, "Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action" is a brilliant album with manyWith the four year gap between Franz Ferdinand's previous album "Tonight:Franz Ferdinand" and this album many believed that they would return with another album which wouldn't return to their previous highs which other bands from the same period as Franz Ferdinand have experienced, such as The Strokes, However, "Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action" is a brilliant album with many great ideas and experimentation, without going too far off the edge.
    Best Tracks: Evil Eye, Bullet
    Worst Track: Treason! Animals    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

95
#95 Most Discussed Album of 2013

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 39 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 39
  3. Negative: 0 out of 39
  1. Austin Chronicle
    Oct 4, 2013
    40
    Not a song sticks. It's sheer style that carries this disc, albeit one that sounds great.
    Read full review
  2. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Sep 23, 2013
    60
    Last year’s stellar Battle Born, felt considerably more vibrant than Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action ever does.
    Read full review
  3. Magnet
    Sep 19, 2013
    65
    This fourth outing puts to bed both Tonight's frantic lonerism as well as any notion of a second night out with Alex Kapranos' equal-opportunity, Jacqueline-and-Michael seducer. [No. 102, p.56]
See all critic reviews »