Franz Ferdinand's follow up to their sparkling self-titled debut, You Could Have It So Much Better, is another hook filled record. The one noticeable difference is a fuller production sound. The songs don't have that clipped feel of the original and they have a better sonic texture. The first single "Do You Want To" has a tremendous riff and a killer vocals. "Eleanor Put Your Boots On" is a great ballad that wouldn't sound out of place on a Beatles record. "I'm Your Villain" has a Bowie/Eno in Berlin vibe and "This Boy" is pure punk-pop. While the album is not as consistent from top-to-bottom like their debut, there's no sophomore slump here. The band knows hooks and they've shown on their first two albums, they aren't afraid to use them.

Franz Ferdinand enjoyed great success on thier first album, self titled debut that was magnificent. Many hits were created, and a deep fanbase was created. Many people woundered whether Franz Ferdinand would fall to the infamous sophomore slump. Many bands spend years and years writing thier songs and that is why thier first albums are so spectacular. Then when a studio wants a new album, they rush to write it and it isn't as good. Franz's second LP You Could Have It So Much Better is the total polar opposite.

In about a year after thier first LP release these guys came fresh off the bat with great new material. These Scottish revolutionaries return with a second album of smart guitar hooks, and amazing indie dance beats. Even though thier first single "Do You Want To" makes this album seem like it will be a more fast paced dance rock album, but it's not. There are moments of genuine contemplation in "Fade Together" and "Eleanor Put Your Boots On." There is magnificent balance that is strung together by these guys in this wounderful album.

You Could Have It So Much Better leaves you eager for more Franz, instead of concerned on where their careers are headed. Franz is taking over modern rock and roll and are rising stars, this album is great. Franz Ferdinand made music better indeed.

There should be a warning label on this album that keeps you from listening to it in the car. When I first bought it, I had no idea what to expect, and found myself dancing while trying not to run into other drivers. This is another instance of hooking you in and not letting go, and though there are a few slower moments, they are wisely few and far between. I also haven't laughed as hard at an album, not in the Weird Al sense, but at how fun the songs are. Yes, some of the lyrics are goofy (You're lucky lucky, You're so lucky!) but the songs themselves, the time and key changes in unusual places are jarring, but somehow flow with the rest of the song. Take Well That Was Easy, which goes from a driving rock tempo to a a more danceable tempo and back again. You're thrown for a second, but can easily adapt. The overall feeling you come away with from So Much Better is the infectious sense of fun, of what a great time it must have been to be in the studio with these guys. The record is full of little surprises that are always a delight, even after you've heard it enough times to anticipate them.

The debut, granted, was killer amazing stuff. It's what The Strokes should have been and should have sounded like (in fact Take Me Out with its Strokes-like intro instantly bests the entire Strokes catalog, and we realize we've been duped into believing The Strokes were the next best thing -- believe me, you're better off getting the first three Cars records).

But You Could Have It So Much Better proves that their debut was a starting point not an ending. Franz Ferdinand easily could have recycled the same sounds/songs for the second record (especially becuase there wasn't that much time between records and touring) but they took it to the next level. Songs like Outsiders, This Boy and The Fallen still are instantly recognizable as Franz songs but somehow sound just enough different from the debut to be unique. And songs such as Walk Away and Eleanor prove they're ready for experimentation -- but experimentation that isn't interesting to hear once then skip over.

Indeed, this is an album that grows better with subsequent listens and shows growth without abandoning the catchy dance style you loved 'em for in the first place. Love it.

I have to admit, I REALLY like this album. I don't own the first album yet, but I can't imagine how it can be much better than this. It took me three tries to get fully embroiled in this album. Once that happened I have been playing it non-stop. There is definitely a punk base to all their songs, but there's something about the pace of their music (ever changing, pulsatile and jagged, then smooth...) that keeps you imbalanced yet wanting more. I can't wait to try the first album.