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

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  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 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 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!… Expand
  2. JayP
    Feb 3, 2009
    10
    Just brilliant! So enjoyable and such a grower!
  3. Kimberley
    Jan 28, 2009
    10
    Album of the year comes early.
  4. SK
    Jan 28, 2009
    10
    "Ulysses" is better than anything from their second album. An orgasmic dancefloor indie-pop tune , with an exciting production .I like especially the part in the refrain with the "out of time" warped beat & pseudo vocals(Scissor Sisters/of montreal) , like turning your vinyl form 45s to 33s! That's how actually the whole album flows , with a more "dancey" direction and some "Ulysses" is better than anything from their second album. An orgasmic dancefloor indie-pop tune , with an exciting production .I like especially the part in the refrain with the "out of time" warped beat & pseudo vocals(Scissor Sisters/of montreal) , like turning your vinyl form 45s to 33s! That's how actually the whole album flows , with a more "dancey" direction and some interesting production tricks , without losing their edge(clever , sexy and their dark melodrama still here) with tunes that make the album already sound like a FF greatest hits collection!… Expand
  5. JJP.
    Jan 28, 2009
    10
    best album ever made.
  6. RyanC
    Feb 1, 2009
    10
    The best Franz Ferdinand album so far. Ulysses is a knockout single!
  7. AronH.
    Feb 10, 2009
    10
    It' something different again. Brave and very amusing.
  8. Adam
    Feb 14, 2009
    10
    Its just brilliant. Franz Ferdinand once again produce a fantastic listen from beginning to end. Amazing!!!
  9. DW
    Feb 3, 2009
    10
    Fantastic new disc from FF. Was amazing to see it live and the energy and groove of this disc is out of this world. Who new FF could swing? Best album of the year.
  10. AlexD
    Mar 22, 2009
    10
    Don't even bother reading the 'professional' reviews. This album is Franz-tastic!
  11. DanielS
    Mar 29, 2009
    10
    I can't say this is the best album about franz ferdinand, but Tonight finds the feeling I was looking for about music years ago
  12. ShazzaD.
    Jan 27, 2009
    10
    It's no Franz Ferdinand (the album), and it doesn't wear its Screamadelica-era acid house influences perfectly, but the hooks and particularly the lyrics are as sharp as ever!
  13. BobA.
    Jan 27, 2009
    10
    Good, hard driving beats. Channels a little Jim Morrison with the Cure.
  14. EthanP
    Feb 3, 2009
    10
    A very solid album from a band that has already proved themselves worthy!
  15. 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.
  16. KarolK.
    Jan 27, 2009
    10
    Brilliant album - I'm impressed. Groovy and with a storng dance influence. I just prefer the old Lucid Dreams over the elector album version. The record is amazing nevertheless. The melodies, guitars, bass work, drumbeat that makes my heart beat faster - everything is in it's place. FRANZ is back! New songs are even better live. I've been to their gig in Warsaw and all the Brilliant album - I'm impressed. Groovy and with a storng dance influence. I just prefer the old Lucid Dreams over the elector album version. The record is amazing nevertheless. The melodies, guitars, bass work, drumbeat that makes my heart beat faster - everything is in it's place. FRANZ is back! New songs are even better live. I've been to their gig in Warsaw and all the new songs they played were perfect. Best release from them was for me their debut, but it's just slightly ahead of Tonight.… Expand
  17. LixyT.
    Jan 28, 2009
    10
    Superb, superb. This album is filthy and ridden with sex and drugs, but retains a certain cerebral quality Franz Ferdinand have always managed to achieve. Other bands can only look on in awe at their versatility and imagination.
  18. RayM.
    Jan 28, 2009
    10
    Reminds me of an uplifting dream you want to return to after you awake. The familiar sounds are reassuring, while new sounds delight. Nothing profound, but it makes you feel euphoric. Put your dancing shoes on!
  19. Katie
    Apr 15, 2009
    10
    I have to laugh a bit at Allmusic's review. They're usually reliable, but... "a sound they established several albums ago?" "Several" usually means more than two, does it not? Silly writer, either learn what words mean or actually look at the discography. Anyway, a couple months after release and this is still my pick for album of the year, tons of fun and especially in the I have to laugh a bit at Allmusic's review. They're usually reliable, but... "a sound they established several albums ago?" "Several" usually means more than two, does it not? Silly writer, either learn what words mean or actually look at the discography. Anyway, a couple months after release and this is still my pick for album of the year, tons of fun and especially in the middle it's like one hit single after another. Seeing them in May - should be brilliant.… Expand
  20. RossB.
    Jan 27, 2009
    9
    It's been a while since I've put Franz Ferdinand on my itunes, even though I really enjoyed both of their previous albums...so I almost thought twice about picking this album up....but it's been the only thing on my itunes since, some fantastically catchy tunes from the opening current single Ulysees it starts rocking your socks off, works its way through some quirky lyrics It's been a while since I've put Franz Ferdinand on my itunes, even though I really enjoyed both of their previous albums...so I almost thought twice about picking this album up....but it's been the only thing on my itunes since, some fantastically catchy tunes from the opening current single Ulysees it starts rocking your socks off, works its way through some quirky lyrics and good old rock n roll before ascending into some funky electronika to finish, topped off with an acoustic little number to see you out. Great stuff, still exciting, energetic and engaging. And scottish, which is always good :)… Expand
  21. ELWING.
    Jan 29, 2009
    9
    Tonight might not top the energy and hooks of the debut but an improvement from the previous effort nonetheless. Requires repeated listens to reveal true value of the album. And it's far better than those offered by most indie bands today. Franz Ferdinand are still the kings of dance rock.
  22. CliffD.
    Feb 1, 2009
    9
    Sorry I can't give it a ten, but it seems like all of the major magazines' criticisms are unwarranted. They say it's a good dance album but it lacks substance. I think it's about time for a good dance album, and I still think the lyrics are sincere if not meaningful. Not everything can be graded on the same basis as Dark Side o the Moon
  23. KevinR
    Jan 27, 2009
    9
    Not the very best of Franz Ferdinand, but this album is just too damn catchy and fun to call anything but great.
  24. VéroniqueDECAUDIN
    Feb 7, 2009
    9
    A great, dancy, expected album.
  25. JoyM.
    Jan 28, 2009
    9
    I don't think it's as good as their first album, but it definitely lives up to the precedent they've already set, I love it.
  26. Leon
    Feb 19, 2009
    9
    This album is great. It seems the critics, have something against synthpop or anything on that track. Although they never come out and say it, you can tell by the above mediocre scores.
  27. RobertoN
    Feb 4, 2009
    9
    It is a great album, not better than their debut, but more consistent than 'You could have it so much better', even though it has some 'so so' songs. 'Ulysses', 'No you girls', 'Bite Hard' and the superb 'Lucid Dreams' are the bright spots of this album.
  28. TwelveV.
    Apr 1, 2009
    9
    A catchy pop album that is better than most, best album of 2009 so far.
  29. FrederikVanU.
    May 21, 2009
    9
    A genial album, specially Ulysses and Send Him Away.
  30. Palp
    May 25, 2012
    9
    Adding a synth into the band as one of the central instruments is a welcome addition and welcome change, or rather, enhancement to FF's sound. The songs are as catchy as the previous two albums and the 7+ minute "Lucid Dreams" is a fantastic showcase of the newly added synth.
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Awards & Rankings

31
#31 Most Discussed Album of 2009

Critic Reviews

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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. Filter
    78
    The lurching rhythms, slick hooks and stomping choruses are still everywhere you turn, but the Fraz lads have branched out, with seemingly mixed results. [Holiday 2008, p.90]
  2. Spin
    70
    Even at just 42 minutes, Tonight is relentless, yet the comedown is exquisite.
    Read full review
  3. Uncut
    60
    For all their adroitness, most of the songs on Tonight sound too similar to each other (and to existing Franz Ferdinand songs).
    Read full review
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