You Could Have It So Much Better
by Franz Ferdinand
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 220 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 187 out of 220
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 220
  3. Negative: 11 out of 220

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  1. John
    Oct 16, 2005
    9
    This 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!!!
  2. SebaB
    Jul 28, 2006
    10
    It's the firts album that makes me imitating guitarsolos
  3. ElizabethP
    Jan 17, 2007
    8
    A 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.
  4. StanH
    Feb 22, 2006
    7
    Has some very good tracks, but is too drawn out and not nearly as consistent as their debut.
  5. MikoV
    Oct 4, 2005
    10
    Absolutly Great!
  6. ThomasL
    Oct 7, 2005
    10
    You Could Have It So Much Better......No you can't, this is so very nearly perfect
  7. slapchar
    Oct 8, 2005
    10
    One of the best albums of the year. 'Outsiders' stands out as a superior song.
  8. DanB.
    Oct 9, 2005
    8
    As 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.
  9. JeremyM.
    Oct 9, 2005
    10
    OK, I understand how different people have different opinions, but that doesn't mean they should be stupid. Stylus Magazine is full of shit, and they try to use combinations of big words to hide it. Also, they gave it a C-...doesn't that mean their score should be around, say, a 71? Well anyways, this album is incredible, as trite as that may sound. It is such a large expansion OK, I understand how different people have different opinions, but that doesn't mean they should be stupid. Stylus Magazine is full of shit, and they try to use combinations of big words to hide it. Also, they gave it a C-...doesn't that mean their score should be around, say, a 71? Well anyways, this album is incredible, as trite as that may sound. It is such a large expansion on their already stellar debut. First of all, Alex Kapranos really explores the capabilities of his vocals much mroe than the he did in their first album. The basics of the songs- the guitars and the drums- are much more prominent in the melodies and in the background and are also more detailed. The tracks never even brush repetetiveness or seem boring. This album is very complete, although it takes 2-3 listens to fully enjoy the album. You Could Have It So Much Better will establish Franz Ferdinand as one of the premiere bands in alternative rock without a doubt. The point is, you need to own this album. If for some reason you don't already, take my word for it and go spend some money on this amazing collection of sound. I definitely would not give a big 10 just because it got an 85, it just is that damn fantastique.… Expand
  10. anon
    Apr 2, 2006
    10
    EVEN BETTER thatn the first one.
  11. MinY
    Oct 13, 2005
    10
    When I first listened to this album after my friend gave it to me, I fell in love. Stylish to the max with plenty of substance... very charming, fun dance pop music. There's this weird backlash to Franz nowadays which is completely unfounded, attempts to discuss the music have turned into arguments against post-punk as a whole and the people who hate on Franz have always sounded When I first listened to this album after my friend gave it to me, I fell in love. Stylish to the max with plenty of substance... very charming, fun dance pop music. There's this weird backlash to Franz nowadays which is completely unfounded, attempts to discuss the music have turned into arguments against post-punk as a whole and the people who hate on Franz have always sounded retarded arguing their points. People just don't get that it's supposed to be a fun, almost nonsensical pop group and not meant to be a savior to rock. Although in my opinion, it might have done just that.… Expand
  12. slawekk
    Oct 30, 2005
    10
    so far, one of the two albums of the year (the second being black rebel motorcycle club). much more better that the debut!
  13. JJHoldijk
    Oct 4, 2005
    8
    Many young promising bands ussually disappear after a surprising debut album. Not Franz Ferdinand. In fact, the follow-up to their 2004 debut might even be more surprising. Why? Because it's just so damn good... With "You Could Have It So Much Better", the band took a walk on a darker and louder side. Where their last album made you want to shake your booty, this one will make you Many young promising bands ussually disappear after a surprising debut album. Not Franz Ferdinand. In fact, the follow-up to their 2004 debut might even be more surprising. Why? Because it's just so damn good... With "You Could Have It So Much Better", the band took a walk on a darker and louder side. Where their last album made you want to shake your booty, this one will make you want to bang your head. Though there's still plenty of booty-shaking left. The current single "Do You Want To" might be the song that enbodies that the most. And then there are songs like "The Fallen". Opening with a riff that's so solid it will make you want to smack your mom's bottom and scream "bitch!" at her(even if you really really love your mum, like I do), it really rocks your socks. The song "Eleanor Put Your Boots Back On" shows another side of the band. It's a really nice, Beatle-esque song which shows that FF can do more than building songs with rythms which are tighter then a swiss clock. All in all it's a pretty diverse album which will appeal to even more listeners thatn their last. It also makes one thing very clear, and that is that Franz Ferdinand is definitely not another one day fly.… Expand
  14. RobertD
    Oct 4, 2005
    7
    Its alright, not as good as the first one and definetly not as hype as the new strokes cd will be.
  15. ChrisG
    Oct 5, 2005
    9
    Brilliant follow-up. Stronger songs -- better song structure and melody. Most tracks go beyond the immediate hook.
  16. nickk
    Oct 5, 2005
    9
    A 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
  17. LukasH
    Oct 7, 2005
    10
    Excellent follow up album. Catchy tunes that travel all over the map. From start to finish this album KICKS A**.
  18. MattA
    Oct 9, 2005
    9
    Very 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.
  19. BenG
    Oct 12, 2005
    10
    Better 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!
  20. MatthieuR
    Nov 3, 2005
    9
    Great 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!
  21. heddaache
    Nov 8, 2005
    9
    Super energetic fun! Even better than their last!
  22. AllanF
    Oct 21, 2005
    9
    Anyone who says their first album is better is insane. This one is phenomenal.
  23. konron
    Oct 3, 2005
    8
    Their 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.
  24. Craig
    Oct 3, 2005
    10
    as good as you can get for a follow-up to the debut.
  25. tONY
    Oct 3, 2005
    10
    Sounds so memorable and catchy.
  26. JoeC
    Oct 4, 2005
    10
    Excellent album, solid follow-up to influential debut.
  27. Viv
    Oct 4, 2005
    10
    This 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.
  28. StevenB
    Oct 4, 2005
    9
    Perhaps 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.
  29. DMassey
    Oct 4, 2005
    9
    Utterly 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.
  30. mizzocapone
    Oct 4, 2005
    10
    awesum!! they had the impossible task of following up the first album and miracously succeeded!
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Awards & Rankings

40
#40 Best Album of 2005
29
#29 Most Discussed Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 28 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Amazon.com
    90
    It's a stunning, confident piece of work that suggests the band is merely getting started.
    Read full review
  2. Blender
    80
    It'll do just fine for now. But here's hoping for a torturously difficult third album. [Oct 2005, p.140]
  3. cokemachineglow
    84
    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.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »