"Take Me Out" is an absolutely brilliant single, and the best rock song I've heard in a long, long time. I don't have the album yet, and am kind of afraid to get it, as I'm worried that it won't match the quality of "Take Me Out." However, the two b-sides on this single are pretty good, so I'll probably take my chances.

Do yourself a favor and download this incredible, rocking song by Franz Ferdinand now. Or buy this single for $3. It's well worth it.

The opening of "Take Me Out" could have you thinking you are listening to the latest release from The Strokes, Interpol or even the re-emergence of Joy Division (The latter only concerns those who have already blown out 25 candles). Not so. Around the 50-second mark the tempo slows and hip Scottish four-piece, Franz Ferdinand change direction injecting the funkiest of guitar riffs and a percussive arrangement much like what New Order and Duran Duran had the masses dancing to all those years ago.

Artfully stylish production has the bass rolling and bumping along as the designated driver for the guitar and vocals - who are having the time of their lives and that feeling soon infects the listener. Just try and stay seated. Without noticing you will be up dancing around the room doing your best air guitar.

Lyrics like "I'm just a Crosshair" and "I know I won't be leaving here with you" suggest solemnity rather than festivity and their conveyance in a slight accent not too dissimilar to Ian Brown (The Stone Roses) clouds interpretation even further. So by definition it is a tangled web of irony. But then again who really cares, there is too much fun to be had.

Comparisons will be drawn to the aforementioned modern-retro rock acts, but be sure this track is what they would have produced if they had shifted flair and audacity from their image into their music. Prepare yourself for a riff-fuelled enslavement not seen since the Stoners unleashed No One Knows.

i saw these guys in brighton england(and met nick) and they're by far one of the best bands i've ever heard of in my entire life! if only they'd play in boise...