Franz Ferdinand - Franz Ferdinand (2004)

Fifteen years ago, a young Scottish quartet conquered the world by storm and proved that rock music can be equally danceable and energetic, retro and modern, catchy and creative. Music journalists around the world described the band's style as indie rock, others called it post-punk revival and some even used the term dance-punk. In my opinion, Franz Ferdinand's self-titled debut record isn't indie, revival or punk: it's pure and simple rock 'n' roll.

For thirty-nine minutes and through eleven unique songs, these quirky youngsters invite you to get on the dancefloor and let yourself go crazy. Almost every single song is an instant hit which the band wasn't ever able to reproduce on solid but not outstanding successors. ''Tell Her Tonight'' mixes romantic sentiments with teenage angst and sounds equally desperate and melodic in just above two minutes. ''Take Me Out'' is still played on the radio more than fifteen years after its release and convinces with a simple but extremely efficient main riff and charming mantra-like vocals. ''The Dark of the Matinée'' is less explosive but more melodic and a great song to dance and sing to far after witching hour in some underground pub. ''This Fire'' convinces with similar qualities and is so timeless that it still sets dancefloors on fire nowadays. The diversified first single ''Darts of Pleasure'' includes a vivid coda sung in German that nails it despite its surprising weirdness and proves that rock music can be both commercially appealing and grittingly vivid.

This is actually the biggest strength of Franz Ferdinand. Listeners who usually prefer pop music appreciate this album for its short tunes that get to the point. Those who listens to disco music like how danceable the material is. People who prefer rock music claim that the eleven songs are filled with energy, grit and pace. I have never met anyone who hated Franz Ferdinand, from heavy metal fans to gangster rap aficionados. It's quite an accomplishment to create a timeless record that could have been brought to the world fifteen years before or fifteen years after its actual release and that has stood the test of time among so many people with so many different tastes. Playing Franz Ferdinand's debut album is always a perfect compromise for the play list of any party. The fact that this hasn't changed in more than one and a half decades makes this album truly revolutionary. If you have missed it, go check it out and let its energy guide you to the dancefloor.