Rating: NN
It’s completely understandable that Domino and its business partners at Sony BMG would want to get a Franz Ferdinand DVD out in time for Christmas, while interest in the group is peaking. But why anyone who’s seen the group perform would want to buy a two-DVD set of the Franz boys standing stiffly onstage while running through strikingly similar renditions of songs from their first album at two, sometimes three different venues is a bit puzzling. Sure, they’ve got some snazzy tunes, but their live act is dead boring. The reason for this is revealed in the shockingly dull behind-the-scenes tour documentary Tour De Franz included as a bonus: they’re simply not very exciting people. Expecting a backstage sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll ruckus? You can forget it with these chappies. Instead, you’ll see Alex Kapranos sipping red wine, signing autographs and recording radio station IDs. Ho-hum. If they’d had a camera rolling each time they were asked, “Which one is Franz?” by various hotel clerks, club staff and morning drive jocks, at least there’d have been some yuks. Maybe next time.
