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Product Details
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Track Listings
| 1. Ulysses |
| 2. Turn It On |
| 3. No You Girls |
| 4. Send Him Away |
| 5. Twilight Omens |
| 6. Bite Hard |
| 7. What She Came For |
| 8. Live Alone |
| 9. Can't Stop Feeling |
| 10. Lucid Dreams |
| 11. Dream Again |
| 12. Katherine Kiss Me |
Editorial Reviews
2009 release, the third album from Glasgow-based modern rockers. Tonight: Franz Ferdinand sees them taking a step back from the Post-Punk revival sounds that gave them their breakthrough. With Tonight: Franz Ferdinand, the band are seen to incorporate more disparate influences such as Jamaican Dub and elements of Electronica. What remains of the old Franz Ferdinand is their knack for locating a danceable rhythm and their gentle, deadpan humour. The choice of Dan Carey as producer is in keeping with this new direction, the past credits of whose include CSS and Hot Chip.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 36 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
As much as I loved "Take Me Out" when it first reared it's head in 2004, I hated Franz Ferdinand because they'd become the most over-hyped indie-band ever. Everywhere you turned around, Franz Ferdinand appeared. I knew they were a solid, sound band, but I was like "are they really worthy of all this hype?" The answer to that question was of course, no, at least in my eyes, but I always thought the band was good, if not great. Their self-titled debut of course went platinum here in the States, making you think 'oh they're not so indie, now are they'. However, their second album, the underrated YOU COULD HAVE IT SO MUCH BETTER flopped, selling under 400,000 in the states. A four year hiatus brings us to TONIGHT, which doesn't necessarily trump their debut, but does reinstate some of the glory of their debut. It is doubtful that Franz will ever have another "Take Me Out" (they were semi-close with "Do You Want To"), but tracks like "Ulysses" and "No You Girls" are pretty good if I may say so myself. Gnarls Barkley didn't return with another "Crazy" after all, now did they?
The album starts with the brilliant "Ulysses", which in my eyes is one of Franz's best and most fun tracks. Maybe it's not "Take Me Out", but it comes pretty close. The synthesizer sounds and guitar effects add to the greatness that is "Ulysses", a certified indie-rock gem. "Turn It On" keeps the momentum going, causing TONIGHT not to miss a single beat. With Franz's signature thick bass lines, "Turn It On" reminds us that despite the over-hype given to Franz Ferdinand in 2004, they really are one of today's greatest rock bands. Not even 4 years could deteriorate that reputation.
"No You Girls" keeps driving TONIGHT with another genuine hit. The guitars are in the pocket and the organization epitomized in the production is phenomenal. "No You Girls" with it's incredibly catchy, tuneful refrain is definitely one of my favorites from TONIGHT (second only to say "Ulysses"). Alex Kapranos is on his 'A' game.
"Send Him Away" lays well, as does the majority on this album. Maybe a shade less catchy than "Ulysses", "Turn It On", or "No You Girls", "Send Him Away" is still indie-rock epitomized at its best. Perhaps the best part of "Send Him Away" is the stylistic change that happens a little more than a minute from the ending, in which you see Franz Ferdinand extend their style and take risks. This risk does not miss.
"Twilight Omens" continues Franz Ferdinand's experiments with synthesized sounds combined with dirty, crisp 60s sounding guitars. It is another solid number, if not as solid as "Ulysses" or "No You Girls". However, let me say even if this track is a shade less desirable than the "cream of the crop", contextually speaking, this track is still way above par.
"Bite Hard" finds the Scottish boys slowing down the tempo, well at least at first that is. After lovely balladry by Kapranos upon the onset of "Bite Hard", the boys go into full-fledged dance-rock in which Kapranos shouts enthused "bite hard!". Again, no complaints as this track lays as well as everything else on TONIGHT.
"What She Came For" begins with one of the albums sickest grooves as of yet. Honestly, this groove would fit perfectly on any retro-soul/neo-soul album - urban producers would kill for this groove, honestly. As catchy as the lyrics are, the production is equally as catchy with wacky effects and a phenomenal timbre. A great track in my eyes; it embodies the classic rock sound that was the 1960s.
"Live Alone" is as close as you can get to techno without ruining the indie-rock ambiance. It is solid, but not necessarily a favorite for me. The sounds are great, the vocals first-rate, and even the concept is worthwhile; it just doesn't overtake "Ulysses", that's all.
"Can't Stop Feeling" continues an exploration of pop-sounds incorporated with indie-rock. Again, the effect is an interesting, successful one. To compare Franz Ferdinand and say The Killers maybe a bit off, but both of these bands are searching to make rock music that is danceable again, like it used to be. If you think back to The Rolling Stones with a great hit like "Miss You" not only did it rock hard, it also was very danceable. I believe that is the effect that with a track like "Can't Stop Feeling" or the Killers' "Mr. Brightside" that is the sort of effect being sought.
"Lucid", at 7:56, is the lengthiest listen of TONIGHT, but is worthwhile, as is everything on TONIGHT. "Lucid" turns out to be one of the stronger listens actually, making it a key track. On this track, Franz Ferdinand pools all their knowledge of pop sensibilities and catchy hooks to make one killer song. And ladies and gentleman, what about all of those sick-synths? Have Franz Ferdinand been working with hip-hop producers or something? Kudos, maybe all the 2004 was truly deserved Franz Ferdinand.
"Dream Again" find Franz Ferdinand reserving the tempo slightly, but not without all the extravagance of synthesizers and maybe drum programming as well? Here, I hear an influence of Simon and Garfunkle because of the lazy, restrained quality of the vocals here. Batting 1000 boys, batting 1000.
The album closes with "Katherine Kiss Me", which begins with only acoustic guitars (can you believe it?). Sincere as any singer-songwriter song, "Katherine" proves to be an interesting ending to a very interesting album. I do question why the boys would end this overall uptempo album with a singer-songwriter styled number? Maybe "Katherine" would've been better served as the penultimate track. Ultimately, it isn't a big deal though, as Franz Ferdinand return full-fledged with this great third effort. 4 stars, Franz.
The album starts with the brilliant "Ulysses", which in my eyes is one of Franz's best and most fun tracks. Maybe it's not "Take Me Out", but it comes pretty close. The synthesizer sounds and guitar effects add to the greatness that is "Ulysses", a certified indie-rock gem. "Turn It On" keeps the momentum going, causing TONIGHT not to miss a single beat. With Franz's signature thick bass lines, "Turn It On" reminds us that despite the over-hype given to Franz Ferdinand in 2004, they really are one of today's greatest rock bands. Not even 4 years could deteriorate that reputation.
"No You Girls" keeps driving TONIGHT with another genuine hit. The guitars are in the pocket and the organization epitomized in the production is phenomenal. "No You Girls" with it's incredibly catchy, tuneful refrain is definitely one of my favorites from TONIGHT (second only to say "Ulysses"). Alex Kapranos is on his 'A' game.
"Send Him Away" lays well, as does the majority on this album. Maybe a shade less catchy than "Ulysses", "Turn It On", or "No You Girls", "Send Him Away" is still indie-rock epitomized at its best. Perhaps the best part of "Send Him Away" is the stylistic change that happens a little more than a minute from the ending, in which you see Franz Ferdinand extend their style and take risks. This risk does not miss.
"Twilight Omens" continues Franz Ferdinand's experiments with synthesized sounds combined with dirty, crisp 60s sounding guitars. It is another solid number, if not as solid as "Ulysses" or "No You Girls". However, let me say even if this track is a shade less desirable than the "cream of the crop", contextually speaking, this track is still way above par.
"Bite Hard" finds the Scottish boys slowing down the tempo, well at least at first that is. After lovely balladry by Kapranos upon the onset of "Bite Hard", the boys go into full-fledged dance-rock in which Kapranos shouts enthused "bite hard!". Again, no complaints as this track lays as well as everything else on TONIGHT.
"What She Came For" begins with one of the albums sickest grooves as of yet. Honestly, this groove would fit perfectly on any retro-soul/neo-soul album - urban producers would kill for this groove, honestly. As catchy as the lyrics are, the production is equally as catchy with wacky effects and a phenomenal timbre. A great track in my eyes; it embodies the classic rock sound that was the 1960s.
"Live Alone" is as close as you can get to techno without ruining the indie-rock ambiance. It is solid, but not necessarily a favorite for me. The sounds are great, the vocals first-rate, and even the concept is worthwhile; it just doesn't overtake "Ulysses", that's all.
"Can't Stop Feeling" continues an exploration of pop-sounds incorporated with indie-rock. Again, the effect is an interesting, successful one. To compare Franz Ferdinand and say The Killers maybe a bit off, but both of these bands are searching to make rock music that is danceable again, like it used to be. If you think back to The Rolling Stones with a great hit like "Miss You" not only did it rock hard, it also was very danceable. I believe that is the effect that with a track like "Can't Stop Feeling" or the Killers' "Mr. Brightside" that is the sort of effect being sought.
"Lucid", at 7:56, is the lengthiest listen of TONIGHT, but is worthwhile, as is everything on TONIGHT. "Lucid" turns out to be one of the stronger listens actually, making it a key track. On this track, Franz Ferdinand pools all their knowledge of pop sensibilities and catchy hooks to make one killer song. And ladies and gentleman, what about all of those sick-synths? Have Franz Ferdinand been working with hip-hop producers or something? Kudos, maybe all the 2004 was truly deserved Franz Ferdinand.
"Dream Again" find Franz Ferdinand reserving the tempo slightly, but not without all the extravagance of synthesizers and maybe drum programming as well? Here, I hear an influence of Simon and Garfunkle because of the lazy, restrained quality of the vocals here. Batting 1000 boys, batting 1000.
The album closes with "Katherine Kiss Me", which begins with only acoustic guitars (can you believe it?). Sincere as any singer-songwriter song, "Katherine" proves to be an interesting ending to a very interesting album. I do question why the boys would end this overall uptempo album with a singer-songwriter styled number? Maybe "Katherine" would've been better served as the penultimate track. Ultimately, it isn't a big deal though, as Franz Ferdinand return full-fledged with this great third effort. 4 stars, Franz.
16 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Franz Ferdinand has been getting funkier with each album they've released, and I'm lovin' it. I would pay 20 bucks just to own the song Lucid Dreams. It is, by far, one of the coolest songs I have ever heard in my life. Even in the midst a global recession, this album is one thing that you gotta shell out some cash for.
12 of 15 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
I ilke that they take a risk and think we are as smart as they are
February 1, 2009
By D. Carroll
Format:Audio CD
When I first heard this I was a but puzzled...was it worth the 3 year wait? Now I've heard it several times and I and COMPLETELY satisfiied...I love that they are experimenting and making music that maybe I don't understand the first time I hear it. Hey they're the band... they should make music THEY like and WE have to catch up to THEM. I think listening to LUCID DREAMS (CD version) must be similar to what it was like to listen to Revolution # 9 from The White Album in 1968. Weird..I don't get it...but I like it...I think...This CD is GREAT in headphones...all kinds of little nuances...sometimes the vocals suddenly sound like Alex Kapranos is whispering in you ear. And Congrats for keeping it to 40 or so minutes...It really seems like an ALBUM and not just a collection of songs to fill the 80 minute CD length
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Tonight and the Morning After
Alleged to be a concept album about a hard party of a night and the following morning, Franz Ferdinand attempt to shift direction on their third album. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Tim Brough
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great album by Franz Ferdinand
Love this album for its rock quality & lyrics - But then again I love the band & their other albums too!
Published 3 months ago by A. Charlton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love Franz Ferdinand
I have been a fan of Franz since Take me Out first aired, but it seems they took a hiatus for a while where I didn't hear much that I liked. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jay R
5.0 out of 5 stars
Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand never fails to impress me. I don't know how they do it, but they manage to keep making great music with monotone-style vocals. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Aston
3.0 out of 5 stars
I miss the sense of fun
I bought You Could Have It So Much Better on a whim after digging "Do You Want To," the theme song on an anime, Paradise Kiss. Read more
Published 11 months ago by fathoming
4.0 out of 5 stars
Their best since their first album...
Just listened to this album after not hearing it since it first came out, and after playing the first 2 albums first. IMO this is almost as good as their debut, just not quite. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Vinny Mac
3.0 out of 5 stars
Balancing greatness and blandness on a kinfe's edge
Franz Ferdinand offer their glitzy art-pop with some good melodies here, some catchy choruses there, and a sea of textures. Read more
Published on April 25, 2011 by Tnahpellee
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great record!
Definitely one of the best rock albums od past decade. It moves your hips all the time and includes some really poetic lyrics.
Published on April 8, 2011 by Petr B.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ebizdynamix.com reviews Tonight - Franz Ferdinand
"Tonight" being the best Franz Ferdinand album so far, puts the fun back into funk as it mixes rock, dance and other elements reminding everyone how exciting (while being grown up)... Read more
Published on March 13, 2010 by Theodore Odeluga
5.0 out of 5 stars
Their best album, and their best song
There is something to like on each of FF's albums, but what really sets apart "Tonight" is the fact that the entire album is better than average. Read more
Published on January 29, 2010 by B. Washington
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