MP3 Franz Ferdinand - "Jacqueline"
It seems like forever ago that Glasgow's art school rockers Franz Ferdinand broke out as the UK's next big thing, despite it only being a few months back. I picked up the band's "Darts of Pleasure" EP back in winter/spring & liked what I heard, and then proceeded to go apesh** (like a lot of people) after "Take Me Out" dropped as the big single from their fantastic self-titled debut. Now, after two sold-out Mpls gigs (both of which I missed due to personal stupidity), loads of MTV airplay, and inclusion in Madden 2005, Franz Ferdinand is friggin' huge.

The Franz Ferdinand LP is packed with great songs, but I've always been particularly keen on this track, which leads off the album in decisive fashion. It begins with frontman Alex Kapranos' almost whispered vocals, telling a classic tale of a mediocre looking guy (Ivor) gazing upon a pretty young thing (Jacquline, natch) & momentarily forgetting that she's out of his league. That is, of course, until the gal returns his look & sadly brings him crashing back to reality.

Then, almost unexpectedly, the bass thumps in, the drums start up & suddenly the song explodes with a fury of cutting guitarwork. Then comes the celebratory & oh-so-true anthem:

It's always better on holiday
So much better on holiday
That's why we only work when
We need the money

Doesn't that just make you want to get up & dance & jump around? It certainly does for me. The next verse goes on to tell an odd tale of a drunken, self-instigated beating, but at this point I'm too busy getting down to let that get me down. And with that, "Jacqueline" sets the tone for the rest of the album, boldly introduces Franz Ferdinand as a force to be reckoned with, and knocks the Archduke off the top spot on Google.

Track 01: The Arcade Fire - "Wake Up"
Track 02: Frou Frou - "Let Go"
Track 03: The Walkmen - "The Rat"
Track 04: Interpol - "C'mere"


Come on lads, it isn't all that sharp. Go ahead & give 'er a squeeze...

This entry was posted by mr gilbert at 12/07/2004 01:05:00 PM.