To be honest I don’t quite know what is up with this album, after all it has been over three years since their second album and a lot has happened since then.

It is evident that they are trying to evolve their sound – notably done with opening song 'Ulysses' until the dissapointing la, la la la la chorus where it seems they are pedalling the same kind of stuff they had three years ago – and references to ‘lets get high’  from those nice polished Franz Ferdinand

'No You Girls' reminds me of another song which despite several listens, still escapes me and is bugging me considerably.  Answers on a postcard please.

The highpoint for me is 'Twilight Omens', some fine eighties-type electronica here with a slight rejoinder,  the staccato rhythm throughout feels as if it could have came from a number of their previous songs.
boys is a bit out of place.

Other highlights on the album are Live Alone and Lucid Dreams both explore new directions and attempt to surprise fans but maybe they don't go far enough.

I remember first hearing Take Me Out and it sounded so fresh and so adventurous, but music moves on and their stylish art pop seems jaded now.  The Arctic Monkeys or Foals weren’t heard of when the last Franz album was out and this year it is bands like MGMT, Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver that have been floating the critics’ boat. 

To conclude, it is the same but different, just not different enough.  Maybe they waited too long and maybe this will  go on to be their best album.  I’m sure that Franz Ferdinand fans, of which there are many, will undoubtedly love it.  In fact if you are a fan, I would recommend you go out and buy it despite the above.  There’s balance for you.

Posted In Album Reviews, Feb 04 2009. Words - Graham