How's about that for an arrogant title? Franz Ferdinand obviously know that their second album is just as good as their smash-hit debut - and of course, they're absolutely right. This is new wave pop at its finest, propelled by sheer nervous energy and coated in a sheen of art-school cool. It's the sound of a band on fire, buzzing with ideas, intoxicated by success, throwing up choppy rhythms and insanely catchy choruses as if it's the easiest thing in the world. And just when it all threatens to get a little bit monotonous, they throw in a couple of love-struck ballads that soar gracefully and hint at a promising new direction. There's a suffocating amount of hype around this band at the moment, and it's hard to believe they can keep this pace up for much longer. But for now, no one can touch them.

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