Tonight: Franz Ferdinand
by Franz Ferdinand
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Jan 27, 2009
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 33
  3. Negative: 1 out of 33
  1. Uncut
    60
    For all their adroitness, most of the songs on Tonight sound too similar to each other (and to existing Franz Ferdinand songs).
  2. Q Magazine
    60
    There's plenty of evidence on Tonight... of attempts at broadening their palette, but it's usually by substituting jerky guitar for jerky synthesizer as the lead instrument. [Feb 2009, p.110]
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  3. The Guardian
    60
    You sense that compromises have been made between the desire to do something artistically challenging and the desire to retain both continuity and fanbase, and that, often, the compromise reached is the wrong one.
  5. Drowned In Sound
    60
    They’ve defied compartmentalisation again, managed to avoid crippling themselves in their dramatic reduction of outright 'singles' material, and left the door open to a number of future experiments. Unfortunately it just means that Tonight becomes a makeweight.
  6. Alternative Press
    60
    At its best, the disc forges a middle ground where trebly guitar power is fortified by the electronics, resulting in a new propulsion. At its worst, the disc is as meaningful as "superstar DJ" sets, designer drugs and having your picture taken by the Cobrasnake. [Feb 2009, p.99]
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  7. Tiny Mix Tapes
    60
    There’s still enough innovation and experimentation among the banalities here to suggest that they might have a great fourth album in them.
  8. NOW Magazine
    40
    Rather than risk experimenting with anything radically new, they’ve cautiously tried tweaking their tempos and varying instrumental textures here and there in hopes that listeners won’t notice that they’ve written the same song about romantic frustration in 12 slightly different ways.
  9. Urb
    40
    A group this weird and quirky should be able to produce dozens of albums that never loose their delicious twee taste. Perhaps what FF should try next is trying nothing at all.
  10. Observer Music Monthly
    60
    Now they sound less like they're playing to their strengths and more like they're admitting their limitations; they'll keep trying to move your hips because they know they'll never win your heart. Tonight is fine, but will you still love them tomorrow?

Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Most Discussed Album of 2009

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 138 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 122 out of 138
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 138
  3. Negative: 5 out of 138
  1. JeroenH
    May 1, 2009
    10
    According to some of the critics this album must be boring and by far not the best they can do. Luckily the critics as usual have no clue, as According to some of the critics this album must be boring and by far not the best they can do. Luckily the critics as usual have no clue, as the difference in the rating between critics and users on this site shows. Franz Ferdinand actually managed to make an album that is timeless and addictive and becomes better every time you hear it. It's their best album yet and one of the very best albums yet released in 2009!… Full Review »
  2. WadeVS
    Aug 28, 2013
    9
    Critics are dull and often wrong. This is the most adventurous album the band has ever done, where every risk has payed off. It sounds likeCritics are dull and often wrong. This is the most adventurous album the band has ever done, where every risk has payed off. It sounds like the band we have always loved, matured and a bit rough around the edges, which is a nice change. Gritty synths dominate the album. It has guts and plenty of them. Never a dull moment on this one.… Full Review »
  3. PierreB
    Mar 5, 2009
    10
    This album gets better and better, though its not really inovating it is more musical and less loud then the album before.
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