Franz Ferdinand
by Franz Ferdinand
  • Record Label: Domino
  • Release Date: Mar 9, 2004
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 330 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 297 out of 330
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 330
  3. Negative: 17 out of 330

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  1. KarenR
    Apr 15, 2004
    2
    I fell for the hype, and now I'm disappointed and mad at myself for wasting my money. If you like The Strokes, you might like this CD. However, if you're sick of the Strokes, you won't be too impressed by FF.
  2. AceKabob
    Apr 14, 2004
    1
    Damn the British music press - this CD is hopeless shite of the highest order. Other than the last forty seconds or so of "Take Me Out Tonight," this disc is utterly worthless. Save your money - this thing will be filling up used CD bins in just a few weeks, and you won't have to pay full price.
  3. KiranH
    Apr 10, 2004
    9
    Fabulous, and undoubtedly the best CD of 2004 to date. I hate to sink to all the people voting 0 and baiting, but if they'd just take 5 seconds, put the hype aside, and listen, they'd discover everyone's this excited for a reason.
  4. KiranH
    Apr 10, 2004
    9
    Fabulous, and undoubtedly the best CD of 2004 to date. I hate to sink to all the people voting 0 and baiting, but if they'd just take 5 seconds, put the hype aside, and listen, they'd discover everyone's this excited for a reason.
  5. cuteypie
    Apr 8, 2004
    10
    i love these guys they are new talents and are flying the flag for the uk..and i have plans to become a groupie ;) astoria lonodn here i come
  6. dennys
    Apr 8, 2004
    10
    if "can't get you out of my head" was the bootyshakin' delight of 2002,"take me out" is the bootyshakin' delight of 2004. accept no subsituites,these badass scots did something that robbie williams has yet to do-conquer america.
  7. TadM
    Apr 7, 2004
    2
    I was so exited about it and now that I've bought it, listened to it once and finding myself quite unimpressed and bored, I have no desire to given it any further time. I am so sick of hearing about them now that I have been so disappointed.
  8. JonathanH
    Apr 7, 2004
    10
    A wonderful Fun Band
  9. TabathaH
    Apr 5, 2004
    10
    Some of the best music I've heard since The Smiths in their prime. Just like you would put them (and Morrissey) in a seperate category of greatness this band is quite sure to fit in that catergory of greatness.
  10. mike
    Apr 4, 2004
    9
    i loved this album, although when i first heard it i didn't really get it. but after 2 or 3 listens i got it, fraz ferdinand haven't done anything new, but what they have done is make an album that is so intriguing because it's out at a time where pop-punk is everywhere and it's becoming harder and harder to find good music, and i when i listen to these album is like a i loved this album, although when i first heard it i didn't really get it. but after 2 or 3 listens i got it, fraz ferdinand haven't done anything new, but what they have done is make an album that is so intriguing because it's out at a time where pop-punk is everywhere and it's becoming harder and harder to find good music, and i when i listen to these album is like a breath of fresh air. so anyway i love this album, i haven't taken it out of my cd player in almost two weeks. … Expand
  11. DonW
    Apr 2, 2004
    5
    This album is pretty disappointing given all the hype. I guess that should be expected by now after the previous string of critical darlings like The Strokes, Interpol, and then The Rapture. Apparently finding critical favor no longer has anything to do with creativity or innovation but rather is about emulating the right influences at the right time. This stuff is utterly disposable and This album is pretty disappointing given all the hype. I guess that should be expected by now after the previous string of critical darlings like The Strokes, Interpol, and then The Rapture. Apparently finding critical favor no longer has anything to do with creativity or innovation but rather is about emulating the right influences at the right time. This stuff is utterly disposable and inessential, but it does manage to function as marginally fun, tightly executed pop.… Expand
  12. MikeB
    Mar 31, 2004
    9
    Simply great. Finally I don't have to get drunk to want to dance.
  13. MikeB
    Mar 31, 2004
    9
    Simply great. Finally I don't have to get drunk to want to dance.
  14. abidr
    Mar 25, 2004
    9
    bery,very good songwriting,playing.Not a dud on the album,so tightly played,and with so much charisma.
  15. ShintoI
    Mar 24, 2004
    8
    "Take Me Out" makes you dance. If it doesn't, please spend less time at funerals. "Take Me Out" alone is worth buying the whole record - a debut record that has a few great songs, and a few mediocre songs. They have enough pizzazz and energetic party fever to make this a worthy cd for any party rock and dance lover... don't buy this cd if you expect anything else.
  16. VanZ
    Mar 24, 2004
    0
    this cd is total bullshit, another overhyped release. its just business not music
  17. RobW
    Mar 21, 2004
    9
    Excellent CD. Yeah, screw all these no-name bands that hit #3 on the charts in the UK. :p
  18. RobW
    Mar 21, 2004
    9
    Excellent CD. Yeah, screw all these no-name bands that hit #3 on the charts in the UK. :p
  19. eliasi
    Mar 20, 2004
    8
    i had pretty high expectations when i got this CD so i'm sure they hampered the overall effect of my first listen but i still thought it was good, just not great.
  20. Confessor
    Mar 20, 2004
    0
    This is where indie rock goes to die. The NME has once again made us love an entirely miserable band. This disc sounds like entire sections of 80s underground bands being watered down so some ugly Brit boys can gather groupies. It's music that allows indie kids to listen to trash without losing their "cred"
  21. JohnS.
    Mar 20, 2004
    10
    Listen this out. The first good record of the year.
  22. RobertE
    Mar 19, 2004
    2
    Downloaded a bunch of the songs, and gave them a listen. I can see why some people might like it, but I'm not one of them. Nothing particularly special, new, or inventive here. But then, I thought that about the White Stripes, Yeah Yeahs, and all the other hyped bands that come and go. Thank you Kazaa for saving me another $15.
  23. AndrewR.
    Mar 18, 2004
    9
    Amazing album. I'd call their music a cross between The Strokes and Interpol with a young Scott Walker on vocals.
  24. RobertA
    Mar 16, 2004
    9
    yes this is a great album. amazingly better then the Strokes. i can't believe i just said that but by the looks of it it is true they are stoking with greatness
  25. markf
    Mar 16, 2004
    8
    "Franz Ferdinand" wasn't quite as good as I expected from the hype, but they're at least as good as The Strokes. I much prefer their straight-ahead, guitar-driven songs to the ones that sound like Roxy Music lite. Some of the weakest songs are near the front, so if you get this and start to feel let down, make sure you play it straight through more than once, since there's "Franz Ferdinand" wasn't quite as good as I expected from the hype, but they're at least as good as The Strokes. I much prefer their straight-ahead, guitar-driven songs to the ones that sound like Roxy Music lite. Some of the weakest songs are near the front, so if you get this and start to feel let down, make sure you play it straight through more than once, since there's some solid rock and roll here. I just don't think that they're any better than The Coral or The Libertines.… Expand
  26. johns
    Mar 16, 2004
    7
    good but not great...every song is just a slight variation on the same concept of a sleazy eurodisco strokes sound
  27. DaveP
    Mar 16, 2004
    10
    haha, nice work Tim B. Go listen to your Nickelback.
  28. juanv
    Mar 15, 2004
    5
    Hmm. After seeing the metascore and reading about references to the brit-pop sound, my interest was piqued. I was so inspired by the various professional reviewers that I even considered buying my first CD in months. I went to the record store and walked straight for it. Correction, I had to pull a piece of paper out of my pocket to remember the artist's name. After listening to the Hmm. After seeing the metascore and reading about references to the brit-pop sound, my interest was piqued. I was so inspired by the various professional reviewers that I even considered buying my first CD in months. I went to the record store and walked straight for it. Correction, I had to pull a piece of paper out of my pocket to remember the artist's name. After listening to the previous record (the only recording they had to hear) I was seriously bummed to find nothing original. I put it back in the rack, went home and downloaded the new album anyway. E! Online: "It's the album you wish the Strokes would've made." It might be the disjointed initial jams and raw ideas that they tossed 75% of. Muscially, I was not insprired. Maybe it will sink in with 10 listens.… Expand
  29. NicholasC
    Mar 15, 2004
    7
    Good album but not fantastic, just because the Brits think they're good, doesnt mean everyone else has to! Lets think for ourselves people.
  30. MichaelK
    Mar 15, 2004
    9
    Often bands that are this hyped are disappointing. This album is anything but.
  31. PabloNeruda
    Mar 13, 2004
    9
    It's actually very good if you like this kind of music. Naysayers will ALWAYS be naysayers. Despite what some may say it really is a quality release.
  32. RameezA
    Mar 13, 2004
    10
    Amazing. What the Strokes should want to be (still love the Strokes, but still, they should aspire towards this kind of stuff).
  33. Trevor
    Mar 13, 2004
    8
    This album has some AMAZING songs you'll find yourself listening to on repeat (Take Me Out, Auf Asche). However some songs don't nearly take off as well as others ... still, excellent debut.
  34. noone
    Mar 13, 2004
    10
    It's too amasing for words
  35. CurranF
    Mar 13, 2004
    10
    Franz Ferdinand defy the laws of pop! Key changes, extreme tempo changes within the first minute of songs, lack of distinguishable choruses and complex and bizzare lyrics. Amazing!
  36. Shane
    Mar 13, 2004
    10
    Maybe all these "no name bands" get great reviews because they are good. Critics aren't always reliable, but they have a better idea of what music is good than the Billboard hot 100. Think about some of the ones from this time that will really be "remembered." Britney Spears? Jay-Z? Wow, that's some really great music, there! This album is great, and you need to learn to shut up Maybe all these "no name bands" get great reviews because they are good. Critics aren't always reliable, but they have a better idea of what music is good than the Billboard hot 100. Think about some of the ones from this time that will really be "remembered." Britney Spears? Jay-Z? Wow, that's some really great music, there! This album is great, and you need to learn to shut up when you don't know what you're talking about.… Collapse
  37. BrianL.
    Mar 12, 2004
    10
    While it's not a perfect album, it is one of the most enticing, interesting albums to come out from anyone in quite some time. Few debuts sound this good.
  38. ASer
    Mar 12, 2004
    10
    Absolutely Great!
  39. JakeM.
    Mar 12, 2004
    9
    This is the album the Rapture should've made, or would've made if they had a lick of talent. Fun, frantic, and entirely unpredictable, this is probably the best disc of 2004 until the Modest Mouse album drops. Oh, and Tim B., that's quite an astute observation there. No new bands should EVER record an album, because we'd certainly NEVER want to hear anything other than This is the album the Rapture should've made, or would've made if they had a lick of talent. Fun, frantic, and entirely unpredictable, this is probably the best disc of 2004 until the Modest Mouse album drops. Oh, and Tim B., that's quite an astute observation there. No new bands should EVER record an album, because we'd certainly NEVER want to hear anything other than the same crappy corporate junk we are force fed by Clear Channel, MTV, et al. … Expand
  40. LucaS
    Mar 12, 2004
    8
    The good album that has listened in 2004. Together with that of the Electrelane
  41. MikeM
    Mar 11, 2004
    9
    Look buddy, just because YOU have never heard of a band doesn't mean they suck. I suggest you actually take a listen for yourself... its really good stuff. "Take me out" is one of the best songs Ive heard all year.
  42. Aphex
    Mar 11, 2004
    10
    Amazing! This album is addictive and very well written. If you're not digging this then you're just too old. ...maybe the Eagles will do another reunion tour for you next year:)
  43. MayoloL
    Mar 11, 2004
    10
    Excellent, catchy, anyone who posts negative comments must be a jealous frustrated unrecognized musician
  44. darrenw
    Mar 10, 2004
    10
    what a great first album, thank god for "Take me out" pushing "Hey ya" outta my head @_@
  45. PeteM
    Mar 10, 2004
    7
    I like a couple of the songs on the cd. They arent great tho. Thats all i got so....... bye.
  46. FranzFerdinand
    Mar 10, 2004
    10
    Tim B. and Pet E are ignorant morons. If you hadn't noticed, the rap-rock sucks and so does all the other crap on the radio today. How egotistical can someone be that they think "If I haven't heard of it, its terrible". Superb album.
  47. TimB.
    Mar 10, 2004
    0
    Why is it that all these no name bands get great reviews. All these indie/art rock bands are nothing and will never be remembered for anything.
  48. PetE
    Mar 10, 2004
    0
    WOW! It's the post-grunge recreation of the Talking Heads. Let me go kill David Byrne so he can roll in his grave.
  49. ColinR
    Mar 10, 2004
    9
    This is a superb album especially considering it is a debut! Nearly every track has something to offer and its a proper rock album that sounds tremendous played loud. Buy it now!
  50. JonathanP
    Mar 8, 2004
    10
    As infectious a CD as I've heard in quite some time -- certainly not to be missed.
  51. alain
    Mar 5, 2004
    10
    bang bang shoot mi gavrilo! brilliant!
  52. CameronH
    Mar 4, 2004
    9
    The first great record of 2004. Captures the spirit of the mid-90's Britpop scene without sounding dated or derivative. Believe the hype.
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Awards & Rankings

18
#18 Best Album of 2004
9
#9 Most Discussed Album of 2004
10
#10 Most Shared Album of 2004

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Universal acclaim - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Village Voice
    70
    Frantic and rhythmic Scotpop with many echoes of so-'90s Blur in the sardonic jabs at middle-class bromides.
    Read full review
  2. Dot Music
    80
    It won't usher in a bold new era where boys are boys and bands play guitars, but there is more than enough here to chew over and enjoy.
    Read full review
  3. PopMatters
    90
    The most musically rich, catchy, smartly written "new new wave" record since Interpol's Turn on the Bright Lights.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »