Franz Ferdinand are a rock band that formed in Glasgow, Scotland in 2002. Named after Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, the band comprises Alex Kapranos (lead vocals and guitar), Bob Hardy (bass guitar), Nick McCarthy (rhythm guitar, keyboards and backing vocals), and Paul Thomson (drums, percussion and backing vocals).

They first experienced chart success with their second single 'Take Me Out' reaching number three in the UK charts. Their debut album Franz Ferdinand followed this where it climbed to number three in the UK album charts. The band have won various awards including the 2004 Mercury Music Prize, two Brit Awards in 2005 and NME named them as their album of the year.

Following on from their Latest album, Tonight: Franz Ferdinand, which was released in January of this year, Franz Ferdinand have now released a dub version entitled Blood. It comprises nine tracks which are all taken from Tonight: Franz Ferdinand but renamed to give them a new identity for their dub versions.

I was quietly surprised upon first listening to this album. It’s not just another album which has been released with only a few changes made here and there to some of the songs. You can tell a lot of work has gone into this and it pays off. While not being the style of Ferdinand this type of sound suits them.

The first track on this album is 'Feel The Pressure', which on the original album was titled 'What She Came For'. This is quite dark unlike the original which is upbeat and light. The beat on this dub is good and I like the bleeps and waves from the sonic sounds.

'Die On The Floor' is taken from 'Can’t Stop The Feeling'. It has a lighter feel to it and is much more upbeat, the melody is good, and, as in the original track, I love the melody on the bass that plays throughout.

The intro to 'The Vaguest of Feeling' aka 'Live Alone', is emotional, it begins soft and light but turns darker and heavier before the guitar and beat come in. Parts of this track keep building up to small crescendo’s. It’s quite affective and the beat keeps your foot tapping.

One of my favourite singles that Ferdinand have released this year is 'No You Girls', this track on Blood is entitled 'Katherine Hit Me'. The melody is very much the same with the adage of cow bells and other such rhythms. I did find myself trying to sing along to the chorus but as the vocals on this are re mixed they don’t quite finish the lyrics on this version and just keep repeating lines and words again and again. It’s still a good mix though.

'Backwards On My Face', otherwise known as 'Twilight Omens', opens with a light jingle melody which plays throughout the track. It reminds me very much of an Abba style sound which when mixed with heavily synthed vocals and dark bass it goes really well together.

I love the intro to 'Feeling Kind Of Anxious' aka 'Ulysses'. Again, I liked this single when it came out and this version doesn’t disappoint. The beats are sharp and the dub is deep and when it opens up to the chorus it all really comes together.

The last track on the album is 'Be Afraid' or previously named 'Dream Again'. It’s a slow chilled beat and feels like you could be dreaming. It’s quite trippy and mesmerising. I love the vocals, at the beginning, which turn into what I can only describe as a record scratched - repeating the same word over again and again.

Blood is a good listen and it’s great to see a band take risks and do something that is completely different to their usual style.

8

Helena Rea