Franz Ferdinand — You Could Have It So Much Better

It's hard to believe, but the new new wave is just over a year old. Franz Ferdinand's selt-titled debut hit stores just 15 months ago, and in that time the world has been inundated with indie rock dance bands.

With the Killers' continued radio saturation, it's up to the Scottish foursome who started it all to make a banal genre sound fresh again. It's a hard task to be sure, but Franz pull it off with a passionate, catchy, guitar-filled follow-up.

There's no question — You Can Have It So Much Better is better, far better, than their tinny angular debut. With stronger melodies, more creative riffs and a full-bodied sound, this record is a lot less Gang Of Four and more Hot Hot Heat. Standout tracks include the body shaking "The Fallen" and the melodic, mid-tempo "Walk Away," which features one of the best riffs Franz have ever created.

Franz Ferdnand have raised the bar once again and have successfully managed to keep the '80s post-punk sound alive a little longer.

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