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Franz Ferdinand at House of Blues, 10/4/2013

Franz Ferdinand House of Blues October 4, 2013

Forty-five minutes into Friday night's show at House of Blues, as the band wrapped up "Can't Stop Feeling," Franz Ferdinand performed one of the most energetic jam sessions I've ever seen.

As the crowd's dull roar grew louder and more boisterous, so too did the band's intensity. The volume of their instruments seem to build and build until it all culminated into an aggressive climax, which eventually ended abruptly, finally making way for fans' screams.

Comebacks are a difficult business, but Franz Ferdinand have most definitely reemerged with a bang.

Arguably five to ten years past their heyday, when 2004's "Take Me Out" was inescapable, the Scotland-based, post-Britpop quartet are back on the road in support of their fourth studio album, Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action. Despite having taken a four-year long leave of absence, Franz's live act is as polished as ever.

Onstage, the four-piece is a still tight-knit, well-oiled machine, cranking out hit after hit. Their set list included everything from cuts off their latest release -- "Fresh Strawberries," "Right Action" and "Bullet" -- all the way back to songs from their eponymous debut album, including "Take Me Out" and "This Fire." And Franz aren't the only ones excited to be back; their fans are eager as ever too, showing up in droves to pack House of Blues to the brink. If the show wasn't sold out, it sure felt like it was.

Franz was all business Friday night, sprinting through 20 songs in barely 90 minutes.

Review continues on the next page.

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Matt is a regular contributor to the Houston Press’ music section. He graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in print journalism and global business. Matt first began writing for the Press as an intern, having accidentally sent his resume to the publication's music editor instead of the news chief. After half a decade of attending concerts and interviewing musicians, he has credited this fortuitous mistake to divine intervention.
Contact: Matthew Keever