Franz Ferdinand – Franz Ferdinand (Music Album)
Producer: Franz Ferdinand, Tore Johansson
Producer Biography:
Johansson has claimed that the main impetus for his becoming a music producer was the lack of good recording studios in the Malmö area at that time in which to record his own band. His first five years as a producer were largely focused on developing the Swedish indie band The Cardigans, for whom Johansson has produced all their six albums to date, beginning with the 1994 debut "Emmerdale". As someone as new to the studio as the band these sessions were an equally valuable learning experience for both parties. Johansson has gained particular international recognition through his production work with The Cardigans and Franz Ferdinand. Information retrieved from Wikipedia.
Label: Domino
Genre: Indie Rock, post-punk revival, dance-rock
Listening Level: Grades 9 and Up
Reader’s Annotation:
An album full of intoxicating base lines, mellow lyrics, and a mishmash of frantic and refined electric guitar cords, self-titled album Franz Ferdinand provides music you can dance to, rock out to, and work to in a fantastic album that is likely to become a classic in the years to come.
Album Summary:
Franz Ferdinand is an addictive work that takes cues from bands before them such as the Beatles and Oasis while creating an album that is jam packed with tunes that can fit just about any mood. Take Me Out is an outright rock song with powerful guitar cords, heavy backbeat, and easily memorable lyrics perfect for those times you’re speeding down the highway or in need of something to dance to. 40 is equal parts laidback and energetic, sliding rapidly to something you can relax with to something you just want to get up and jump around to. This Fire begins slowly, but suddenly hits 90 mph as the singers shriek out their lyrics while being backed up with a simple but effective beat of the drums and guitar.
Critical Evaluation:
Despite being produced in 2004, many alternative rock stations still make Franz Ferdinand a regular part of their rotation, often times with Take Me Out taking the lead. Though the band doesn’t do anything technically spectacular with its music, the lyrics, tune, and voices of the singers combine to produce a sound many alternative and indy rock enthusiasts will enjoy. As a British band, some of the tunes have hints of the Beatles in both the vocals and music, but frequently much, much heavier than the Beatles had ever been. Take Me Out, with its infectious beat and lyrics will likely rope listeners in songs such as This Fire will make fans of new listeners.
Curriculum Ties:
Challenge Issues:
None
Defensive Maneuvers:
n/a
Book Talk Ideas:
n/a
Why This Album?
With similarities to bands such as the The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, a wide audience of rock and indy rock fans will likely enjoy this work. Teens in need of something to dance to, chill to, or rock out to will be happy to find this in the collection and add it to their growing playlists.
Producer Biography:
Johansson has claimed that the main impetus for his becoming a music producer was the lack of good recording studios in the Malmö area at that time in which to record his own band. His first five years as a producer were largely focused on developing the Swedish indie band The Cardigans, for whom Johansson has produced all their six albums to date, beginning with the 1994 debut "Emmerdale". As someone as new to the studio as the band these sessions were an equally valuable learning experience for both parties. Johansson has gained particular international recognition through his production work with The Cardigans and Franz Ferdinand. Information retrieved from Wikipedia.
Label: Domino
Genre: Indie Rock, post-punk revival, dance-rock
Listening Level: Grades 9 and Up
Reader’s Annotation:
An album full of intoxicating base lines, mellow lyrics, and a mishmash of frantic and refined electric guitar cords, self-titled album Franz Ferdinand provides music you can dance to, rock out to, and work to in a fantastic album that is likely to become a classic in the years to come.
Album Summary:
Franz Ferdinand is an addictive work that takes cues from bands before them such as the Beatles and Oasis while creating an album that is jam packed with tunes that can fit just about any mood. Take Me Out is an outright rock song with powerful guitar cords, heavy backbeat, and easily memorable lyrics perfect for those times you’re speeding down the highway or in need of something to dance to. 40 is equal parts laidback and energetic, sliding rapidly to something you can relax with to something you just want to get up and jump around to. This Fire begins slowly, but suddenly hits 90 mph as the singers shriek out their lyrics while being backed up with a simple but effective beat of the drums and guitar.
Critical Evaluation:
Despite being produced in 2004, many alternative rock stations still make Franz Ferdinand a regular part of their rotation, often times with Take Me Out taking the lead. Though the band doesn’t do anything technically spectacular with its music, the lyrics, tune, and voices of the singers combine to produce a sound many alternative and indy rock enthusiasts will enjoy. As a British band, some of the tunes have hints of the Beatles in both the vocals and music, but frequently much, much heavier than the Beatles had ever been. Take Me Out, with its infectious beat and lyrics will likely rope listeners in songs such as This Fire will make fans of new listeners.
Curriculum Ties:
- The evolution of rock
Challenge Issues:
None
Defensive Maneuvers:
n/a
Book Talk Ideas:
n/a
Why This Album?
With similarities to bands such as the The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, a wide audience of rock and indy rock fans will likely enjoy this work. Teens in need of something to dance to, chill to, or rock out to will be happy to find this in the collection and add it to their growing playlists.