- Record Label: Sony / Domino
- Release Date: Oct 4, 2005
User Score
Universal acclaim- based on 220 Ratings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 187 out of 220
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Mixed: 22 out of 220
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Negative: 11 out of 220
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MikoVOct 4, 2005Absolutly Great!
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ThomasLOct 7, 2005You Could Have It So Much Better......No you can't, this is so very nearly perfect
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slapcharOct 8, 2005One of the best albums of the year. 'Outsiders' stands out as a superior song.
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JeremyM.Oct 9, 2005
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anonApr 2, 2006EVEN BETTER thatn the first one.
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MinYOct 13, 2005
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slawekkOct 30, 2005so far, one of the two albums of the year (the second being black rebel motorcycle club). much more better that the debut!
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LukasHOct 7, 2005Excellent follow up album. Catchy tunes that travel all over the map. From start to finish this album KICKS A**.
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BenGOct 12, 2005Better than the first and one of the best albums of the year. Remember that Oasis and Coldplay have also released amazing albums this year! This is brilliant! I'm actually listening to it now!
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CraigOct 3, 2005as good as you can get for a follow-up to the debut.
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tONYOct 3, 2005Sounds so memorable and catchy.
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JoeCOct 4, 2005Excellent album, solid follow-up to influential debut.
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VivOct 4, 2005This had a rating of 89 before Stylus Magazine pissed on it. Still, let the numbers continue to speak, as this is in my opinion one of the best, unabashedly cocksure albums of the year.
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mizzocaponeOct 4, 2005awesum!! they had the impossible task of following up the first album and miracously succeeded!
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MihaiVOct 4, 2005Just brilliant. I love the 3 ballads. This was the big surprise to me. The rest is Franz Ferdinand at their best.
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JenniferEOct 7, 2005Fantastic collestion of songs both fast and slow the best without doubt is The Fallen.
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BeenmanCOct 7, 2005If i had the option of butter on my pancake or the new Franz i would pick butter. BUT after i ate that tasty little cake in the pan with butter i would go out and buy the new Franz because its so awesome. I would listen to the new Franz and then listen to it again because I cant get sick of it. And then id go out pound some beers and try to get some action!!
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DamianMOct 7, 2005"If you didn't actually like the cold, arch, clipped art pop of the debut, then don't buy this because you're probably not going to like it; just get back to your Status Quo records, you tin eared muppet." John Doran, Playlouder. Or make that Bon Jovi records you American idiots!
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AlecEJan 10, 2006Best album of 2005.
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HugoPNov 10, 2005Tight stuff...
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SteveTOct 12, 2005Fantastic, simple as!
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TomWNov 6, 2005Fantastic album, better than the first. Best song: The Fallen
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Disco_StewOct 17, 2005Great follow up, Im loving this album, The fallen is a great song.
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FelixROct 28, 2005This may just be the best album this year. It's certainly a big improvement on the first album, which had as many forgettable tracks as it did memorable ones. It's got catchy hooks, thoughtful lyrics, and a cohesive structure that makes it nearly impossible to turn it off once the album starts playing.
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TomBOct 3, 2005EASILY the album of the year. Absolutely fucking brilliant.
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gabewOct 3, 2005hells yeahhhhhhh
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TravisYOct 4, 2005Sounds like the first but more in depth. Awesome if you loved the first album. Okay if you thought it was okay.
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WillOOct 4, 2005Perfect album filled with catchy lyrics, yet dark at the same time. This is a masterpiece and has just marvolous songs. PERFECT
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[Anonymous]Oct 6, 2005A perfect follow-up to their perfect debut. I might even like this CD even more than their debut, it is fantastic. Definitely buy it if you liked their first album.
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AndyWOct 8, 2005Franz Ferdinand sure goes over their boundaries, and easily pulls off some old school Clash-esque punk, as well a new side to them, some softer stuff. For a follow-up to the debut, this is absolutely amazing. Definately one of the best of 2005. Hardly, one weak song this entire album. It is sooo choice, that I highly recommend you pick this record up.
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JorgeEJan 28, 2006In order to save words.... JUST PERFECT!!!!
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SebaBJul 28, 2006It's the firts album that makes me imitating guitarsolos
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NaniNov 18, 2005couldn't have it any better.
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TrungaOct 12, 2005Franz Ferdinand have made a great album, the catchy lyrics, great tunes, love it all and the sequence in which the tracks fall, enough to keep your head bopping !
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CGOct 15, 2005It's simply brilliant - not remotely emotionless, as suggested in one or two of the reviews above. My favorite is when reviewers miss the point altogether: the idiot at Stylus actually critisized What You Meant" for featuring 'cringe-worthy pearls like
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ExecutionerJonesOct 22, 2005Their first album was a eight. This one is a ten! It's the best album I've bought in ages. EVERYONE needs to hear the title track turned way up!
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MANUTDDec 27, 2005This is one of the best albums I've ever heard
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JonHDec 28, 2005In the top 5 of albums of 2005. Franz Ferdinand is pop/rock at its absolute finest and most exciting. Every track is a showstopper.
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May 25, 2012You Could Have It So Much Better (in my opinion) improves upon a great debut album with one that has songs that are more punchy and catchy than their self-titled debut. This is one of the best times I have had while listening to an album, and would recommend this record highly.
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ChrisGOct 5, 2005Brilliant follow-up. Stronger songs -- better song structure and melody. Most tracks go beyond the immediate hook.
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nickkOct 5, 2005A more than worthy follow up. perhaps a little underwhelming at first but the songs prove to be just as exciting and infectious as those on the stellar debut while the inclusion of three ballads adds another dimension. though the tall poppy killers will tell you otherwise this album is indeed Franztastic
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MattAOct 9, 2005Very good... i think i like it better than thier last album, but then again... not all songs are that great... but the ones that are are great.
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MatthieuRNov 3, 2005Great album; I can't understand why people like Jame F. are slamming this record for being more of the same; that's like complaining to the waiter that there isn't a fly in your soup!
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heddaacheNov 8, 2005Super energetic fun! Even better than their last!
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AllanFOct 21, 2005Anyone who says their first album is better is insane. This one is phenomenal.
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StevenBOct 4, 2005Perhaps I was expecting a let down. Perhaps I felt with such a strong debut there was nowhere else to go but down. I was as incorrect as horse wrangler heading up FEMA. Great second effort. And without the usual two year wait.
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DMasseyOct 4, 2005Utterly terrific, although am I alone in thinking that Do You Want To is the single cheesiest and horrifically annoying song to be released for a long time? The rest of the album more than makes up for it however both expanding and improving on their established sound.
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AudreyPOct 5, 2005I am really fond of this release although it is nothing more than a well made pop album, but still it is much better than a lot of what most poppy bands put out. Like so many have said, if you liked their debut, you will most likely enjoy You Could Have It So Much Better...
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JohnSOct 6, 2005
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RonGOct 9, 2005Superb, far better than their debut, which sounds poor in comparison
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MarioPFeb 1, 2006
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MarcusPMar 12, 2007Great Album. It´s not the songs in itself, thats great, it´s the whole album.
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ReneeNov 3, 2005What? This song is not even close to being the same as the debut. The songs are deeper, the instruments are played better, the chords are more intricate. It's all-in-all a definite step up from 'Franz Ferdinand' and I like where the guys are headed.
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JohnOct 16, 2005This album proves that Franz CAN out do their 1st album. "What you meant" is kinda like some of The Beatles good stuff, there is so much veriety in the new album. Dont listen 2 people slam this and overlook it its sooo dam good, a must!!!
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AndrewJNov 6, 2005
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NicolásOOct 19, 2005A very complete album. Another step forward from a band which is called to set a new order in the current indie scene.
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MattOct 25, 2005More fun and hookier than their first album. I never thought they could come up with an album almost as good as the new New Pornographers and Liz Phair albums, but they did.
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BrianAOct 3, 2005One of the best albums of the year. An awesome followup, which has the band trying out new things, and branching out in directions I would have never seen them going. One thing I don't get is why they decided on "Do You Want To" as the first single. It's a good track, but others on the album are far better.
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ChrisPOct 3, 2005Again franz put out another good album. This album i think doesnt have all of the good songs that last had but the songs on this album that are good are really good.
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BenJan 7, 2006No, there's not really anything innovative here, and yes, it all sounds very similar to their first album. In truth, the only thing Franz Ferdinand brings to the table here are some incredibly catchy songs. Then again, what more do they really need? This might not have been the best album of 2005, but I'd be hard pressed to think of another that was simply this much fun to listen to.
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dakhOct 13, 2005Betterr than the first, among the the best of 2005.
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billyNov 5, 2005most of it was great, but just not perfect
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JeffJJun 15, 2007Absolutely stunning. It would have been even stronger if they would have left off "Fade Together" and "Outsiders', but if the songs "The Fallen," "Do You Want to", "This Boy" and "You Could Have it So Much Better" don't shake your booty, then, like Fatboy Slim said, your booty must be dead.
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Dec 28, 2013
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Nov 17, 2014
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DanB.Oct 9, 2005As good as the first, maybe a little better. "Fade Together" is soooooo darn good, but I wish the vocals were just a tiny bit clearer.
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JJHoldijkOct 4, 2005
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konronOct 3, 2005Their sound is a bit more diversified the second time around, but consequently, it doesn't sound as solid as their first album. If anything, it shows promise for the band's future.
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DeanSOct 4, 2005It's pretty good, has some great tracks, but certainly isn't as consistently good as their debut. However, they do broaden their range quite a bit, and when they do something new, it comes off well. The least memorable ones feel like extras from the last album.
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TheCriticJul 17, 2006DEFINATELY better then their first one especially when they slow themselves down. Check out "Eleanor put you boots on" and "Outsiders" and even "Walk Away"
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NickHOct 17, 2005
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jyotirmayadOct 19, 2005yeah, this is a good CD. No sophomore slump here. j.t.
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JackHOct 5, 2005
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ElizabethPJan 17, 2007A lot better than their first album since they abandoned a lot of aimless, sloppy guitar strumming. "Do You Want to?" is a great song although it's slightly embarrassing to sing it on the top of your lungs. The stand outs are "The Fallen" and "Outsiders". This album is more melodic and more coherent than their previous.
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marklNov 28, 2005Slightly better than their debut.
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Jul 12, 2018Great album. A little bit more versatile and light than first album, but a bit less memorable.
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RobertDOct 4, 2005Its alright, not as good as the first one and definetly not as hype as the new strokes cd will be.
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ataraxiayNov 6, 2005louder than the first one but i regret the cheesy ballads!
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StanHFeb 22, 2006Has some very good tracks, but is too drawn out and not nearly as consistent as their debut.
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OligamiMay 20, 2007They evolved the way I feared they would. This record definitely needed some more restrain.
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Jan 6, 2012While still has many good moments, their style wore thin a bit for me on their second record. There was little or no progression in style and it lacked the tunes of their debut.
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VidMAug 13, 2007Very low mileage on this one. Noticeably inferior to their debut. Most of the tracks blur together into one long tedious mess.
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AlexKapranosOct 3, 2005The unpretentiousness is a breath of fresh air amid the dire wave of emo-indie out there currently, but I don't have to listen to Franz Ferdinand to get my dose of unpretentiousness 'cause it's all been done before.
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MarkCOct 3, 2005I thought this album was unfocused and somewhat boring. It has a few great singles, yes, but overall, it leaves me with a sour taste in my mouth. after a month or so, this will be collecting dust on my shelf.
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timeDec 2, 2006Do You Want to is one of the worse singles of the year.
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DankyMcSkankyNov 21, 2005so overrated its not even funny. like i will say that they have some of the catchiest tunes of the year but they're nothing new. just another pop band trying to come off as indie. straight posers
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PaulHOct 5, 2005it's obviously rushed, the lack of good material here is surprising, almost all of the songs are B-Sides quality. I can't believe it's getting all these amazing reviews.
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StormwatchMay 1, 2008Some good moments, but, as a whole, notably inferior to Franz's awesome first album. The songs lack the "alternative" feel from before, and tend to be too fast-paced. The "louder" production doesn't help either.
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MexOct 10, 2005Do not understand the high rating. The first album was a nice surprise, but this 2nd album is more of the same, certainly not better, slightly boring. So, stick to the first and wait for a better 3rd album.
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guidoNov 9, 2005deja vu. apart from some nice guitar riff, very few interesting and original ideas
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MackDec 10, 2005Sometimes catchy? Yes. Sometimes annoying? Yes. Infinitely overrated? Of course. I was dissapointed at the formulaic nature of it all - I kind of expected something with a dose of creativity. Had this been released by someone else, it would have garnered much critical backlash, but alas, FF is still riding the wave of support from their first album, which was flawed, but much better.
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DSHelderOct 3, 2005Not bad. Just not very good. With four exceptions, the songs are not up the old standard. But what really ruins this album, is the new poppish sound. Farewell indie, hello boredom.
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ChelseaDOct 4, 2005
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FFFFJan 23, 2006This song is far more aggressive than the first, and I like that. But almost all of the songs sound the same. And the two ballads are pathetically cheesy. Bonus points for possibly the best drummer in the millenium. The guitar is repetitive, and the voice adds a huge shadow to the rest of the music. TOO DISCO-Y for me. I love their first album though.
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JadenBNov 1, 2005I think people are just jumping on the bandwagon. This album is not as nearly good as the first album. I've been trying to warm up to it and it's increasingly difficult to. It's cheesy and repetitive. There riding the coatails of there first album still.
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JonAOct 7, 2005I've tried to listen to it twice and I didn't get all the way through it both times and it's only 41minutes long, to say it's repetitive is a understatement. This is a band that will be completely forgotten as time passes. But I will say one thing in it's favor, it's still better then most bands that play on mtv or vh1.
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EvanOct 14, 2005They are losers. The look like hobos and can't sing. The only reason I gave them a 3 is because the one guy looks like Jim Carrey, and he's awesome!!!
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mehDec 6, 2005very overrated. gets pretty boring after about 3-4 listens despite a few tracks.
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JameFOct 30, 2005No. It really is just the same thing, again. Yes indeed.
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Mr.RightNov 7, 2005I, sincerely, enjoyed the first outing, and looked foward to hearing what FF could come up with next. What came up was a recipe, that was in much need of a fly.
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Awards & Rankings
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It's a stunning, confident piece of work that suggests the band is merely getting started.
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BlenderIt'll do just fine for now. But here's hoping for a torturously difficult third album. [Oct 2005, p.140]
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Franz Ferdinand have slightly tweaked the neo-Brit-pop genre – mixing in funk, dashes of punk, and a bit of disco – and come out with a sophomore album even more confident and hungry for glory than their debut.