Dave Chamberlain

Give yourself some time to really chew on the breadth of Franz Ferdinand's self-titled debut, and the record becomes like a welcome disease that won't stop eating away at the aural organs. Even without the record's most powerful tracks, "Jacqueline" and "Cheating on You," what's left has uncommon depth, even if the specter of the Strokes hovers on occasion. What comes across as so impressive isn't necessarily entirely new--several bands have been able to fuse barbed melody inside staccato, jabbing guitar and bass work. But it's the little things that make Franz Ferdinand: the adjustable lead on the dance-friendly "Michael," the almost smirking explosion of non-orchestrated volume on "Come on Home," the bumblebee and combustible path taken by the guitar on "40'." And through it all, as you're actually able to understand singer Alex Kapranos, in spite of his occasional mumble and Scottish heritage. It's all of the above--despite the disconnected nature--that keeps drawing me to a record that I didn't even want to like in the first place.

Franz Ferdinand plays September 30 at the Riviera Theatre, 4746 North Racine, (773)275-6800.

(2004-09-29)

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