The 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.

EASILY the album of the year. Absolutely fucking brilliant.

I 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.

One 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.

(cough) over-rated (cough)

hells yeahhhhhhh

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.

as good as you can get for a follow-up to the debut.

Again 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.

Sounds so memorable and catchy.

Not 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.

Absolutly Great!

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

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.

awesum!! they had the impossible task of following up the first album and miracously succeeded!

Its alright, not as good as the first one and definetly not as hype as the new strokes cd will be.

Just brilliant. I love the 3 ballads. This was the big surprise to me. The rest is Franz Ferdinand at their best.

It'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.

I really liked Franz's debut, and so I was really hoping this album would be amazing. Sadly, I was wrong. This is just the boringly average follow-up you'd expect from a band like Franz Ferdinand. BUT, if you really, REALLY loved their debut, and want more of the same (along with some Beatles-y ballads and a few added flourishes), then by all means, tack on an extra few points to this score and buy it. But if you're tired of all this dancepop nonsense flooding the British music scene, skip it.… Expand

Excellent album, solid follow-up to influential debut.

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.

Sounds like the first but more in depth. Awesome if you loved the first album. Okay if you thought it was okay.

THis is dumb to the core!! Eat it outloud!

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.

Perfect album filled with catchy lyrics, yet dark at the same time. This is a masterpiece and has just marvolous songs. PERFECT

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

Brilliant follow-up. Stronger songs -- better song structure and melody. Most tracks go beyond the immediate hook.

it'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.

I 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...

Pretty amazing album. I haven't decided if I like it better than the first one (I've only listened once all the way through), but I think it shows that Franz aren't just one hit wonders. The one drawback is that they've traded in the dance songs like "Auf Achse" and "Michael" from the first album for slower, more balladsy type songs ("Elanor Put Your Boots On"). I';m not sure I like that move as much, but they're good songs for what they are.… Expand

Overall a better album than the first, a collection of strong hummable stylish songs peppered with thee weaker tracks to fill the space, just like the previous album. The texture of this album is warmer and more inviting if less danceable than the debut. Of course by being warmer I mean despite the angular discoish sound there is more instrumentation and even oooohs and aaaaahs that were completely absent from the debut. When leftball albums come out and have a major impact you have to be a bit wary of many critic elitists who tend to underrate the follow up albums to try and elevate the illusion of their knowledge on the subjec as if they were amember of some vanguard organization of newly aquired taste, see reviews of Gorillaz and Death Cab for Cutey for reference points. There is a heavy price to pay to hip critics when you pose on billboards(end sarcasm). As for the low stylus review, the author gave kelly osbourne's album an A- if you want an indicator to his "taste" or judgement in music criticism. As for the sound of the album, they sound even more like early Roxy Music than they did on their first album. And any "professional critic" who does not pick up on this all too obvious influence(heck they even dress the same) isn't worth two grains of salt as an expert on the subject. Not taking into accounts the slower ballads that sound sort of like Jonathan Richman singing with an agular semi-Paul McCarthiesque arrangement. Ultimately this album sounds like a cohesion of various 60's and 70's bands, not 80's bands. Also on an interesting side note, the lyrics are printed in the little sleeve booklet on what appears to be real notebook paper.… Collapse

A 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.

You Could Have It So Much Better......No you can't, this is so very nearly perfect

"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!

Fantastic collestion of songs both fast and slow the best without doubt is The Fallen.

I'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.

Excellent follow up album. Catchy tunes that travel all over the map. From start to finish this album KICKS A**.

If 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!!

One of the best albums of the year. 'Outsiders' stands out as a superior song.

Franz 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.

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

Superb, far better than their debut, which sounds poor in comparison

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.

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.

Do 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.

Fantastic, simple as!

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!

Franz 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 !

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

Betterr than the first, among the the best of 2005.

They 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!!!

It'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

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!!!

== 8.4 / 10 == It's endlessly listenable, I'll give it that right off the bat. Why is that you ask? Because it all, in a sense, runs together. There are only two instances of the boys of Franz Ferdinand ever experimenting. Most of the time this would be the death of an album, not "You Could Have Had It So Much Better". The sound, however similar it is on every track, is fantastic. Franz Ferdinand have honed their sound to perfection, and that's good thing I guess. They know what they're doing - maybe a little too well. I just hope they realize that a band needs to grow, not stay stagnant. Here's hoping for an odd, quirky third album that pushes what they are capable of. In the meantime, I'm going to go listen to this CD again...… Expand

Great follow up, Im loving this album, The fallen is a great song.

It sounds like they've listened to the outakes of their debut album and put it out as a record. I could've done that better!

A very complete album. Another step forward from a band which is called to set a new order in the current indie scene.

yeah, this is a good CD. No sophomore slump here. j.t.

Anyone who says their first album is better is insane. This one is phenomenal.

Their 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!

More 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.

This 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.

so far, one of the two albums of the year (the second being black rebel motorcycle club). much more better that the debut!

No. It really is just the same thing, again. Yes indeed.

I 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.

What? 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.

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!

most of it was great, but just not perfect

Fantastic album, better than the first. Best song: The Fallen

To say people are jumping on the bandwagon is, in my eyes, slightly naive and the comment of someone who just hasn't listened to this album. It is packed full of the sort of songs which i think the first album was missing. 'The Fallen', 'This Boy', 'I'm Your Villain' and 'The Outsiders' are all inspired Franz Tracks whilst 'Eleanor Put Your Boots On' is the best Beatles song written this decade.… Expand

louder than the first one but i regret the cheesy ballads!

I, 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.

Super energetic fun! Even better than their last!

deja vu. apart from some nice guitar riff, very few interesting and original ideas

Tight stuff...

couldn't have it any better.

so 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

Slightly better than their debut.

very overrated. gets pretty boring after about 3-4 listens despite a few tracks.

Sometimes 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.

This is one of the best albums I've ever heard

In the top 5 of albums of 2005. Franz Ferdinand is pop/rock at its absolute finest and most exciting. Every track is a showstopper.

All the songs sound the same as the last album- I was very disappointed.

No, 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.

Best album of 2005.

This 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.

In order to save words.... JUST PERFECT!!!!

I was not thoroughly convinced by this at first, and I still think that Do You Want To is an embarassingly horrible song, but the album definitely grew on me on further listenings, so much so that now I prefer it over their debut. Less keyboards and frills, even more guitars, some good ballads (and Walk Away is truly brilliant) and great songwriting and structure. Exciting and quite long-lasting as well. Well done FF, this is my pick for 2005 (with Andrew Bird a close second).… Expand

Has some very good tracks, but is too drawn out and not nearly as consistent as their debut.

EVEN BETTER thatn the first one.

DEFINATELY better then their first one especially when they slow themselves down. Check out "Eleanor put you boots on" and "Outsiders" and even "Walk Away"

Do You Want to is one of the worse singles of the year.

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.

Great Album. It´s not the songs in itself, thats great, it´s the whole album.

They evolved the way I feared they would. This record definitely needed some more restrain.

Absolutely 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.

Very low mileage on this one. Noticeably inferior to their debut. Most of the tracks blur together into one long tedious mess.

Some 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.