W/e 17/01/25 - Franz Ferdinand, Bridget Hayden, Lambrini Girls, Skinner, Kings of Leon

Overall week 2 is a step up on week 1, but still a fair way below an ‘average’ week.

Sault held our 2025 top spot for just a week, so it’s congrats to Franz Ferdinand for taking the lead. Let’s see how long they last there. They also have our TOTW.

Brigit Hayden just escapes our overall bottom 20.

Phil looked good for just his 2nd 😀 until it was snatched away by Sam at the last minute.

Andy is our ☹️ by a distance, recording the 2nd lowest set of scores we’ve ever had. Only Simon, back in October 2023 was ever less impressed, with the now infamous The Streets week.

Kings of Leon say hi to U2 and The Cure near midtable on the classics list.

Matt

Franz Ferdinand - a few mis-hits here: Black Eyelashes doesn't quite work; and Audacious which should have been rousing like the Killers' Caution, ended up a bit too sing-along. Having said that the remainder were an enjoyable selection with that FF art-rock strut. 6.8

Bridget Hayden - musical kale: I feel like I should benefit from listening to this type of music, but I just don't like it. Ethereal to the point of insubstantial. 2

Lambrini Girls - one of the better proponents of post-punk commentary fizzing with energy. Final track is a very helpful guide to modern etiquette with a little musical echo of the immortal Daphe and Celeste. 6.

Skinner - the album's a good description of what you get. Rollicking and jaunty you can definitely hear spikey new wave undertones (including a Madness influenced sax). Particularly like the eponymous track and look forward to more from Skinner. 6.7

TOTW - Bar Lonely, Franz Ferdinand

Andy

Franz Ferdinand - Yeah it's OK just doesn't do enough to make me think they've done anything other than regress since the first couple of albums, reliable would be the best I can say for them I guess 6

Bridget Hayden - Not a big folk man and this doesn't move the needle, maybe it's the total lack of variety that did for me, a tough listen 2

Lambrini Girls - Shouty nonsense, homeless woman's Amyl and the Sniffers, so try hard too, I'm not convinced that Cuntology song is what the movement needs ladies 3

Skinner - Really didn't like this the first time, on second listen it made a bit more sense of what he was trying to do but I'm still not sure I need some Irish dude recreating the NY No wave scene 4.5

TotW - The Doctor by Franz Ferdinand

Kings of Leon - I've got a bit bored of the Followills of late but their first two albums are pretty undeniable. I prefer the second but this is a cracker nonetheless 7.5

Phil

Franz Ferdinand – 7

I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this after the first three tracks, which I found a bit meh but the band hit their stride on Hooked and after that there was no let up. Night or day is a cracker, Tell me should I stay is a breezy orchestral romp and Black eyelashes sashays in on a stop-start cha cha-like rhythm. Top work, chaps!

Bridget Hayden – 7

I’m not surprised that this album turned fellow reviewers off. It isn’t exactly a toe-tapper or even a chin-stroker. I found it fascinating though. I was intrigued to discover that Hayden’s background is in experimental music, not the usual route into folk. But you don’t have to listen to much of the record to see, or rather hear, what’s going on. The songs are all folk classics but they mostly also have a spiritual dimension to them, which is enhanced by the droning accompaniment. Some of the songs do suffer as a result – the opener Lovely on the water, for example, but when the approach works, as it does on She moves through the fayre and the eight minute closing track, The unquiet grave, the results are extraordinary.

Lambrini Girls – 7

Wasn’t it Johnny Rotten that sang “Anger is an energy?” Lambrini Girls are the living proof of that and when they let that anger out, you’d best run for cover. This album is frantic, relentless and shouty. But is it fun to listen to? Well, yeah, with some reservations. The first two tracks suffer from the chaotic production burying the vocals in the mix. But from Big Dick Energy onwards things improve. Sure, the lyrics are not particularly complimentary to the male sex but there’s more than just sexual politics going on here. Love is brilliant but the real highlight is Cuntology 101.

Skinner – 6

He’s trying, for sure, but not quite getting there. Rocking up a familiar Irish folk song – Tell my ma – is an interesting move and some of the lyrics are striking, Jesus wore drag especially. The oddest thing about this for me was how much like Gilla Band’s Dara Kiely his vocals were at times. But neither that, nor the avowed No Wave influence, gives him a pass yet. Get a collaborator! You need one.

TOTW – Bridget Hayden – She moves through the fayre

Classic

Kings of Leon – 6.5

I bought this album when it came out, more on its reputation than from hearing any of the tracks. I thought it was OK, nothing special, and thereafter it sat on my shelves, unplayed, for many years. Digging it out, and playing it again, I hear nothing to change my original view. What I hear is an above average two guitars, bass and drums outfit, decent singer, fair enough lyrics and enough of the grit that I like in my rock. But there’s something missing, a sense of identity perhaps, and enjoyable as it is, I won’t be playing it again anytime soon.

Erol

Franz Ferdinand - thoroughly enjoyable and upbeat, with a number of sing-alongs and foot stompers that kept me engaged throughout. 7.8

Bridget Hayden - languorous and wispy. I don’t mind a bit of mood music like this but I quickly tired of its emptiness. 4

Lambrini Girls - far too shouty and brash for my taste. I know Iggy Pop rates them (and I rate him!) but this music is just not for me. 3

Skinner - new wave vibes with a sax that just keeps popping up on almost every track. The opener caught my interest and put me in mind of early Spandau Ballet. Sadly the rest of the album doesn’t manage to maintain the same standard. 5.5

TOTW - Night or Day, Franz Ferdinand

Kings of Leon - brilliantly raw, stripped back and edgy. I think I prefer this to their more recent stadium sound. California Waiting is a belter. Great stuff. 8

Guy

Franz Ferdinand – not their finest work but still a decent and an enjoyable listen. As you’d expect, some catchy numbers including the opener. Despite disappearing from the radar a bit, these guys can still knock out distinctive and high quality tunes – 7.4

Bridget Hayden – soporific and lacking in any type of umph. I’m not a fan of folk and this got nowhere near converting me - 3

Lambrini Girls – what Erol said. Shouty and not particularly strong tunes. I did like the swearing on Cuntology 101 though – 5

Skinner – I quite liked this funky, new wave sound. Probably not ground-breaking but there were some good tunes on here and I’m partial to a bit of sax – so that worked for me – 6.8

TOTW – Audacious by Franz Ferdinand

Kings of Leon – I’m not their greatest fan but they do have a distinctive, bluesy sound which I appreciate. This is a strong all-round album and the hits are excellent. – 7.5

Sam

Franz Ferdinand: comes out of the traps at a pace , but half way through they go a bit ‘experimental’ which is patchy but overall they are pretty smart and bouncy : 7.4

Bridget Hayden: gorgeous voice and some lovely ghostly , floaty songs but they do sound quite similar ! So it’s a 6.5

Lambrini Girls : they pack a punch for sure but the shouty shouty gets a bit grating by the end . 6.9

Skinner : i’d like to see him live ! This pops and fizzes and me likey a lot . 7.5

Kings of Leon : I love American rock but his voice annoys me . Plus their attitude isn’t always great … but the music is pretty good so it’s a 6.5 .

TOTW : many contenders but I’ll go with : Sour Milk by Skinner

Simon

Franz Ferdinand: rather a mixed bag - I was underwhelmed by Audacious when they opened with it on Thurs and it's no better on the album - there are flashes elsewhere of their scintillating debut but Black Eyelashes is a total misfire. 6.5

Bridget Hayden: not a fan of this kind of music, and whilst I would almost certainly never come back to this it was at least easy on the ear in a soothing, contemplative kind of way. 5

Lambrini Girls: wow, what an irritating album - listening to this felt like being lectured by a furious, attention-seeking 14-year old. All rather tiresome, frankly. 3.5

Skinner: enjoyed this - approaches Fat Dog levels of unhingedness at times but there seems to be method to the madness and a dose of good humour throughout - great stuff. 7.5

Kings of Leon: not really familiar with KoL beyond their brief period of prominence in the noughties, although Molly's Chambers rang a bell - thought this was decent enough, it rolls along with a gritty swagger even if there aren't any real stand-outs. 7.5

TotW: Skinner - Calling In Sick

Justin

Franz Ferdinand - very similar to the first album. I like the upbeat charm of it all. I always think of Franz as very sharp tight indie and this very much fits that description 7.5

Bridget Hayden - I don't mind a bit of folk and the individual songs were all good but as a single package it is a bit of a low listen. 6.3

Lambrini Girls - Sleaford Mods for girls. Like Sleaford there is a certain charm but it won't be getting any relistens although would watch them live. 5.9

Skinner - gave it a few listens and nothing irritating but didn't really grab me. A few songs had a Pixies edge otherwise a bit too much jerky indie. 6.2

TOTW Franz Ferdinand- Night or Day

Kings of Leon - massive fan. This is still my goto KOL album for nostalgic reasons. A rollicking fast indie guitar classic 8

Jim

Franz Ferdinand 7

I'm with you Phil, it takes a few tracks to get going, but the handful from Hooked onwards are really good - some classic FF sounds mixed with some that have evolved and a few TOTW contenders. Ran out of steam a little perhaps.

Brigit Hayden 3

Uumm, not for me. Need more than a nice voice

Lambrini Girls 7

Well, that was a ride. Glad it was just 29 mins as it was a quiet attack on the senses, but a decent debut at that. Somehow they make Amyl and co sound subtle and Sleaford Mods seem relatively relaxed about life, all with the occasional Idles riff. They tackled a fair range of subject matter and did much of it pretty well, Company Culture my fav.

Skinner 6.5

Another decent debut from that slightly chaotic art school genre we've had a few from. A bit hit and miss but interesting nonetheless , and he also had something to say. Look forward to a seeing him in a fest tent at some point

TOTW: Franz Ferdinand - Night Or Day

KIngs of Leon 9

Packed full of high-octane barn dance blues rock, with perhaps only the last track being a little weak . The 2nd half in particular is fantastic, with Genius and Holy Roller Novocaine my personal favs.

Annette

Franz Ferninand: 7.5

Bridget Hayden: 3

Lambrini girls: 6

Skinner: 6

TOTW: Night & Day by FF

Kings of Leon: 8

Mark

Franz Ferdinand - eminently listenable and seemingly trying to hark back to their breakthrough sound whilst also exploring a bit of a new style. Didn't always work, I thought Hooked and Black Eyelashes were a bit duff, but it was the one I played most this week, enjoyed the album release gig we went to, and good to have them back - 7

Brigit Hayden - nice voice and interesting modern interpretations of folk standards, but I just thought it all sounded very samey, not much in the way of rhythmic or sonic variation across the whole piece - 5

Lambrini Girls - lively stuff, all a bit Millie Tant from Viz though and they haven't got the tunes Amyl & The Sniffers do - 6

Skinner - mmm, didn't know what to make of this, some was okay but then it went all parping sax badness like a cross between Ordinary Boys and Black Country New Road - 5.5

TOTW - Bar Lonely, by Franz Ferdinand

Adam

Franz Ferdinand

Was obsessed with these chaps first two albums so was interested to see how they’ve been faring 20 years later. Not surprisingly, some of the in your face Scot rock has tempered a little bit. But, an enjoyable romp with their unique sound - feel they fare better on the more up tempo tracks. 7

Bridget Hayden

It’s normally tricky with these more melancholic albums - but I think the time of year, the world going to hell etc etc this actually was a good listen to. The melancholy really permeates every part of this - feel like a should be looking out to the winter sea with a whisky in hand with this on. 6

Lambrini Girls

I do enjoy in your face female punk rock - and this really gets in your face with their brash lyrics, guitar shredding and general attitude. This is a contradiction but maybe not polished enough in places for my taste - too much just screaming/bashing instruments in places. 5

Skinner

Found this an odd one - art rock project doing its thing. A few funky moments in there to enjoy. 5

TOTW - Franz Ferdinand - Everydaydreamer

Kings of Leon- cracking choice on classic! These Tennessee boys churning out some cracking indie rock tunes. Red Morning Light straight out of the traps to set the tone and some more hits in California Waiting, Mollys Chambers. The next two albums (and my personal fav Because of the times) also worth a good (re)listen. - 8