I expected to go to Glasslands Gallery in Brooklyn tonight to attend the listening party for Franz Ferdinand’s new album Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action. Since they played a show for David Letterman last night, a part of me wondered if they would possibly play tonight as well. But the thought of them playing inside the tiny little venue Glasslands, with a capacity of around 200, seemed silly. So, I pushed that thought far away into the back of my head.
Always go with your first guess. The listening party was indeed a show, and it was completely free, which makes the whole ordeal even more insane. The night started with a DJ set from the bands drummer Paul Thomson, and then the new album was blasted gloriously loud from the speakers. Let me tell you, the first 4-5 songs on the album are electric. Some of the coolest work from the band yet. This was incredibly tight guitar rock with a dance edge that is going to be perfect for parties during the fading days of summer. It’s meant to be heard on the loudest volume possible. I think it may be right up there with You Could Have It So Much Better as their best album next to their debut of course. Can’t wait to get my hands on the real thing.
From there I was expecting another DJ set but nope, the bands gear was brought out and it soon became obvious that the listening party was just a front. A glorious front. The band didn’t beg for a grand entrance of applause or screaming fans. They walked on out looking as happy as we were to be there. A refreshing sight, as this isn’t the case for many bands, especially at Franz’s level. They were all smile, didn’t have problem hamming it up for the crowd. Guitarist Nick McCarthy even fell back into the crowd wile playing. They seemed to be enjoying the show just as much as us, which goes a long way.
They opened with new song “Fresh Strawberries”, a song that almost had a 60s Beatles-esque carefree Beatles ring to it that was a solid way to open the show. Lead single “Right Action” was next and sounded sharp and exciting. Then the band delighted all of us with their now classic debut tracks, “Tell Her Tonight” and “The Dark Of The Matinee.” They sounded as good as ever, and it was beyond cool to see them play it in a tiny club, the closest that I’ll ever come to witnessing their now historic rise in tiny Glasglow pubs and clubs.
The other single released “Love Illumination”, along with “Evil Eye” & “Stand On The Horizon (all on that brilliant first half of the new album) were played for us, as well as “Treason! Animals.” The tracks sounded crisp and rocked the entire room. The new material was a great deal of fun, and mixed in with stuff like “No You Girls”, “Ulysses” and “Michael” made for a well rounded set that was very well alive and kicking.
Of course we got to see them tear the room to pieces with “Take Me Out” a song whose glory knows no end. Every single time I hear that song, it still seems as epic as the very first time I saw the song (and that video!). The band hasn’t lost their edge one bit. I can’t believe they played Glasslands Gallery. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to see them in a place that tiny again, and that’s quite alright. This was a night I will never forget.
Check out some photos below, as well as the setlist. Sorry their all iPhone photos, I didn’t think they were playing so I didn’t even have my camera on me. Oops.
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