Franz Ferdinand: Blood

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Interesting things happen when Franz Ferdinand and producer Dan Carey get in the studio together. Deciding that Tonight: Franz Ferdinand wasn't enough, the guys re-mixed most of the songs. The product is the manic Blood: Franz Ferdinand (Domino), released earlier this month. Blood takes the thumping reggae of Tonight, adds heavy bass, pulls it apart so it's almost gummy, and throws in some more synthesizers.  The outcome is three-times as fun and perfect for the dance floor. &-;Die on the Dance Floor" is the first attention-grabber. It starts, bouncing with some serious 80's influence, but darkens when the spacious bass unifies the rhythm. &-;Katherine Hit Me," which only plays off the title of Tonight's &-;Katherine Kiss Me," sounds like a bunch of musically inclined toddlers with pots and pans running around in the kitchen. It's iterative and addictive. The highlight of the record is &-;Be Afraid," a rework of &-;Dream Again." It echoes like a dripping faucet in an empty room, leaving the backing chimes to carry the music. Though not stronger than Tonight, it's just as frenetically electronic, excessive and indulgent.-

--Azia Squire-

4 out of 5 stars.