FFS FFS 2LP

FFS is the unique collaboration between contemporary Glasgow-based legends Franz Ferdinand and indie stalwarts Sparks. Together, they create a triumphant racket and it is a racket that you should hear now.

The self-titled debut from FFS is the work of two great, and distinctive, acts at the top of their game. In fact, FFS works so well because these groups aren't carbon copies of each other. What the bands do share — jaunty wit and a flair for indelible choruses — gives FFS plenty of fertile common ground. These songs are inspired, even-handed combinations of all of their strengths. FFS is a collaboration that works very well and offers just about everything a fan of either band could want.

There's catchy-as-velcro zingers in pretty much every song, there's Russell Mael's breathless, bouncing falsetto, there's twitchy Franz guitars, and Alex Karpanos' sultry croon, there's Ron Mael's harpsichord synth, there's bits that sound happily like 'This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us' ('Save Me From Myself'), and bits that sound a little like 'The Dark Of The Matinee' (actually, also 'Save Me From Myself'). You can dance to nearly all of it, or you could read it out in a serious voice and kill yourself laughing. Marvellous.

This is a rich, rewarding album from two virtuosos of art rock – collaborations do work, but seldom as well as this.