The Useless Critic 2.0

I admittedly have stopped following Franz Ferdinand because their recent output has been ... disappointing, to say the least. Their last album I glossed over, and pretty sure the album before that, too.  But damn! Their single off their new album really blew me away. "Always Ascending" comes out February 9th, but I was happy to hear that "Feel the Love Go" sounded like an update on the classic Franz Ferdinand sound, the sound that brought them to mainstream attention in 2004 to begin with. Except this time it feels a little darker and edgier. I dig it, maybe you will too: Fun fact: Our first post ever was also about Franz Ferdinand. How things change and then they don't. 

Enjoy! This playlist is a lot more playful- as demonstrated by the presence of "Work Bitch" by Britney Spears. I just added "Manners" by Icona Pop because it felt good. I also have included my favorite Franz Ferdinand b-side and Lorde's "Royals." I can't bring myself to listen to other Lorde songs because SHE'S SO YOUNG AND IT MAKES ME UNCOMFORTABLE. It's generally a positive mix. "Catch My Disease" by Ben Lee, "Breakin' Up" by Rilo Kiley, "Bohemian Like You" by the Dandy Warhols- all rather timeless. There's some odd cuts, like "Obstacle 1" by Interpol (have had in my head all week), the Erie PA song by deadhorse (hometown shoutout) and some `90s/`00s electronica (Ivy and Sneaker Pimps). As for the Camille song and Mayer Hawthorne/Kendrick Lamar track, I will not lie. They are pretty hot.

Song of the Day You know that I'll be here Wishing I could be there. BONUS and

Two new songs by Franz Ferdinand came out today. These Scots haven't put out new music since 2009. I'm liveblogging my reaction.... .... Keep reading .... Reading.... Reading.......... Reading............. Reading.................. This is "Love Illumination," which is touched with some Hot Chip genius. I don't know if I like it. Franz Ferdinand, it seems to me, is a band who does not age well. There's another track, too. Their new album (in case you were wondering out there)  Well, their new album comes out in August. So there's that. Here is one of my favorites by them:

If her turns as Edith Piaf or in Nine  (but let's be honest, six people may have seen Nine ) didn't convince you of this, check her out with Franz Ferdinand for the Christian Dior campaign: Franz Ferdinand's music has been iffy for a while (secretly, I like a lot of it!) but DAMN. DAMN. DAMN. LET'S SEE KATE WINSLET DO THIS.

Because I fell behind!! "French Navy"- Camera Obscura strikes me as classic Camera Obscura . I was really shocked this came off their latest album. O_______________________O so happy! worth a listen. "Never Had Nobody Like You"- M. Ward good summer song. featuring Zooey on back-up. aw. very laidback . "Dying In Africa"- Sally Shapiro hyped-up ambient cover of an Italian disco (is that why they call it? Italopop ?) song. I've heard the original is way better but I can't help but love this because I loved it first. LISTEN TO IT WITH THE LIGHTS OFF. "No You Girls"- Franz Ferdinand I wrote about this record a long time ago (when the blog was first new! HA) and how much I enjoyed it. then I played it to death. but there are still some upstanding tracks to be had. except Franz Ferdinand will never be as good as they could be. :( "Gimme Sympathy"- Metric Pretty awesome that Metric, at long last, finally released a GOOD album. I mean t...

I uploaded these bbz for a friend because I killed my router a few weeks ago? true story I kicked it and it as thirty dollars at Target so I guess you can't expect much: "Heartbeat"- Annie http://www.sendspace.com/file/saifi0 "Katherine Kiss Me"- Franz Ferdinand- http://www.sendspace.com/file/ww8eaz "Paris"- Friendly Fires- http://www.sendspace.com/file/l64ptk "Dreamworld"- Rilo Kiley http://www.sendspace.com/file/zbqrdq (note: WMA) "Sunday, Lovely Sunday"- Edson http://www.sendspace.com/file/t8x544 "You Could Have Both"- The Long Blondes http://www.sendspace.com/file/xcjguy "My Favourite Book"- Stars- http://www.sendspace.com/file/zr9i1p and also: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tara-stiles/help-im-addicted-to-faceb_b_166726.html WHO? ME? I CERTAINLY HAVE MET ALL MY FRIENDS. IN FLESH. AND STUFF. I LOVE GOD? and I'm not this much in love with the Huffington Post...no, really....how's that "30 Rock...

O, HALE noo so competent!!! GOD: this town's crAzy. http://yourerie.com/content/fulltext/?cid=45171 in related news: I had no idea Christian Bale was such a diva. wut. "What She Came For"- Franz Ferdinand p.s. other people should be contributing to this...thing in the future. STAY TUNED. - Brittany

it's been too long since we've heard from these guys. long enough that my rediscovery of them feels exciting. like it did when I heard "Take Me Out" for the first time (and saw the video- crazy, I haven't sat down and watched a video in forever!) so today I bought Tonight: Franz Ferdinand . and now, for some reason, I own all their albums. one of the rare bands to accomplish that feat with me. You Could Have It So Much Better wasn't terrible, but I felt like the majority of the album just sounded the same. And I wasn't as gung-ho about Franz Ferdinand as everyone else was. They were both good albums that I've listened to a lot, but there comes a point where I think, a few plays in, "enough of this!" luckily, Tonight sounds good over all (and thank God- I buy albums so rarely now that they must be amazing if I'm to spend money on them). "No You Girls," "Katherine Kiss Me," "Can't Stop Feeling" and "...