[Photos by Andrew Parks]
Franz Ferdinand finally unveiled specific details about their third full-length at a not-so-secret Brooklyn show last night, from its title (Tonight) to six new songs that hinted at how different the LP may be.
“The last record was fast, furious, frantic, 150 beats per minute–it was like a teenager having sex,” frontman Alex Kapranos recently said in a BBC News interview. “This one’s a bit more assured and a bit friendlier for the dancefloor. It’s about 104/105 bpm.”
No kidding. As crowd-pleasing as Franz Ferdinand’s hit singles (“This Fire,” “Take Me Out,” “The Fallen”) are, few fans will be able to resist the guitar flare-ups of “What She Came For” or the glitter ball hooks of such disco-driven cuts as “Katherine Kiss Me” and our pick for Tonight‘s breakout single, the fried synths and falsetto choruses of “Ulysses.”
To answer the question posed by one particular self-titled staffer before this intimate, sold-out show, yes people still care about Franz Ferdinand. That includes us, now that we’ve been reminded why we fell for these Scots in the first place–their songwriting, which avoids dance-rock cliches and embraces slight experimental touches at every turn. All while retaining the very distinct ‘Franz Ferdinand sound,’ beginning with Kapranos’ playful, hearty voice. Speaking of the singer/guitarist, be sure to follow his photo to find Wednesday night’s complete setlist …
Franz Ferdinand @ Music Hall of Williamsburg, 10.8.08:
Ride Together *
Michael
Tell Her Tonight
Turn It On *
Dark of the Matinee
Send Him Away *
The Fallen
Katherine Kiss Me *
Take Me Out
Ulysses *
40′
What She Came For *
* = new song
Encore:
Outsiders
This Fire
