Franz Ferdinand

With their sharply stylish mix of rock and dance music, Franz Ferdinand have brought a wry sophistication to indie rock while becoming one of the U.K.'s most popular bands. The Glasgow-based group arrived in the wake of the early-2000s rock revival, with bands such as the Strokes and the Libertines reminding listeners just how refreshing -- and evergreen -- hook-driven guitar music could be. While Franz Ferdinand had a kinship with those acts, their lineage also included the arch, angular post-punk of bands such as Wire and the witty, funky jangle of fellow Glaswegians Orange ...