FFS
by FFS
  • Record Label: Domino
  • Release Date: Jun 9, 2015
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 47 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 47
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 47
  3. Negative: 3 out of 47
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  1. sphinmo
    Aug 8, 2015
    8
    A solid album. Lots of catchy tracks on this album with interesting lyrics in some cases. The album grows the more you listen to but it is a good investment of time to do so. Enjoyed it so much I am going to see them on tour. An unexpected gem.
  2. ElroyRosenberg
    Jun 13, 2015
    5
    Not for me. I can't get into the singing on this one. I like some of the cool, synthy instrumentals - they really resonate with me. But I think the signing felt a little meandering, and the tone of voice is just not my cup of tea. An otherwise fine album if you take away some of the wishy-washy, going-nowhere lyrics.
  3. Ricko
    Jan 2, 2016
    7
    I'm unfamiliar with the work of Sparks apart from their biggest hits. They strike me as a bit quirky, a bit weird and very unamerican rock. Essentially a great match for the quirky, weird and positively European Franz Ferdinand who I am very familiar with. I can't say this is a perfect blend of both and I don't have enough Sparks knowledge to go on. It does sound very much like a FranzI'm unfamiliar with the work of Sparks apart from their biggest hits. They strike me as a bit quirky, a bit weird and very unamerican rock. Essentially a great match for the quirky, weird and positively European Franz Ferdinand who I am very familiar with. I can't say this is a perfect blend of both and I don't have enough Sparks knowledge to go on. It does sound very much like a Franz Ferdinand record though, with a little more silliness/quirkiness than usual. Songs like "Call Girl" could have been lifted from any of their albums, especially their first 2 records. While a far from perfect offering and one that would benefit with a bit more seriousness, this is a must have record for fans of Franz Ferdinand, a record where you get what you give, the more time you put into listening, the more rewarding the experience is.… Expand
  4. StevenX
    Jul 28, 2017
    8
    The joining of longtime cult heroes Sparks, in the midst of a creative and critical renaissance, with the fun guys in Franz Ferdinand gives you the quirky punch you expect and more. Tight arrangements with fun lyrics and lots of energy? I'll take it. The only minus is that with Russell Mael on the mic, another lead vocalist is a detraction, not a plus.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
  1. The Line of Best Fit
    Jun 16, 2015
    70
    There’s moments where creeping doubt, and a little bit of self-awareness, begin to set in--mainly on Franz’s part--but those aside, this is going to challenge Ezra Furman’s Perpetual Motion People for the title of the year’s finest pop oddball.
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  2. Clash Music
    Jun 15, 2015
    70
    FFS manage to combine all the characteristics of what makes each band appealing but the record never veers too close to Franz Ferdinand territory and neither does the supergroup fully embrace the experimental side of Sparks.
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  3. Pitchfork
    Jun 12, 2015
    71
    The chemistry between the two bands isn't so perfect that a second collaborative album would be preferable to whatever either of them has up its sleeve next. When FFS does click, though, it's a little delight.
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