Franz Ferdinand @ Bowery Ballroom: The Archdukes Strike Back

Wow, who'd even think that I could see the Happy Mondays in my lifetime. I got to hear all my favorite songs and to see Shaun Ryder and Bez in all their full glory ... uhhh, yeah. So much for that.

Life's funny like that, so, gee, how about Franz Ferdinand instead back at the Bowery Ballroom for a quick show before they head off to Bonnaroo? These one-off shows, where marquee bands that sell out large venues and come to back to Bowery, are often crazy, unpredictable and should happen more often. Tonight's 67-minute performance featured some new tracks from a future album and a spattering of old favorites.

The setlist, which was exactly the same as their recent Glasgow show:

• Jacqueline
• Anyone in Love *NEW*
• Walk Away
• Shopping for Blood
• Matinee
• English Goodbye *NEW*
• Take Me Out
• A New Thrill *NEW*
• The Fallen
• 40 ft.
• Favourite Lie *NEW*
• Michael
• Encore: Turn It On *NEW*
• Outsiders

I must admit that it was odd and thrilling seeing them on a small stage with no backdrop or video projection -- just like it was at Maxwell's back in the day. It was a reminder that at one time, they would play these small spaces and still rock the house. The sound doesn't hit you like thunder like it does in the big theaters, but it still makes you freak out. "Outsiders" from You Can Have It So Much Better was the high point with the three drummers all doing their thing. It really fired up the room. Then some girls rushed the stage and just stood there. I looked around and people were like, "Okay then."

The new material is hard to judge, since it's out of context with the rest of the unmade album. It could change when they head back in the studio. I did think "Favourite Lie" was fantastic. It has this pounding piano part that cuts through the song and Alex shouts then croons. I've always joked that Franz might get paid by the tempo change, and this one switched gears about four times. It might be their sexiest song to date -- think Ricardo Montalban sexy circa 1960s. "Anyone in Love" has a 60s mod-psychedelic feel with this almost goth-like keyboard part. It was fitting because Nick McCarthy in his red wool suit looked like he was either joining the The White Stripes or Paul Revere and the Raiders. If anything, the new songs peaks my interest for their junior album.

I think tonight's show wasn't "OH MY FUCKING GOD THAT WAS THE BEST FUCKING SHOW EVER!!!!!!", but it was damn good. I was hoping for a little more bouncing around action up front, but it was one of the most polite sold out crowds for a major band I've been a part off. Dare I say -- it was down right comfortable. When it comes down to it, Franz was made for the big stages and raucous crowds. You have to keep in mind that tonight is just a test-drive for the new material. When I saw them in Paris, it was just as good as it gets and I'll probably never see a better show from them than that. The kick for everyone is that you're about two feet from Alex's well-trailered trousers.

That's it from Franz land. I didn't think I would attended, but thank you to the U.S. government for making this happen. Lots of other blogs there, Music Sluts, Brooklyn Vegan, Sound Bites, Modern Age, you know the drill.