Franz Ferdinand 'Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action' ALBUM REVIEW: First Record in Four Years Shows 'Take Me Out' Band Return to Form [VIDEOS]

It's been a little while since indie rock band Franz Ferdinand has made an album. Their last record, "Tonight: Franz Ferdinand" was released in 2009, which was more a less a completely different world. President Barack Obama was still a young new whippersnapper of a leader. Twerking was kept underground. "50 Shades of Grey" was just something painters thought about. Now, it's a whole new place out there.

So, although Franz Ferdinand has been on break for roughly four years, it's as though the familiar group never even left. Their latest and fourth studio album "Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action" picks up right where they left off, leading the band to create its strongest album to date.

"Right Thoughts..." starts off with lead single (and semi-title track) "Right Action." From the opening few seconds of the popping guitars and the distinct vocals of frontman Alex Kapranos, it's clear that Franz Ferdinand is back in form, making the past four years seem like nothing but a blink of an eye. "Right Action" is a mid-tempo track that builds and sets the tone for the rest of the album.

Like all Franz Ferdinand albums, there are total standout tracks and a few songs that are easily forgotten. "Right Thoughts..." begins with a strong track and carries that momentum through the first three tracks easily. "Evil Eye," like the name implies, is a horror film, creep-induced stomper. "Love Illumination," a sexually infused track is reminiscent of Franz Ferdinand's contemporaries The Hives. However, the lyrical content of the joys of sex is pure Franz Ferdinand from their "Tonight" days.

From there, the album just sort of flows until track six, the real shining light of "Right Thoughts:" "Bullet." Full of racing guitars and jangly effects from the very beginning, "Bullet" is a driving song if Franz Ferdinand has ever written one. It simply oozes enthusiasm and energy, making the veterans sound as though they're the new fresh face in indie rock.

"Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action" coasts from there. The back half of the album is by no means bad, it's just after the powerhouse of a song that is "Bullet," it's hard to get fully interested in the punky "Treason! Animals." or the sleepy "Goodbye Lovers and Friends."

Overall, "Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Actions" is a solid effort from Franz Ferdinand and is sure to please long-term fans of the band who have been anxiously waiting for new music for years. If these Scots can keep this pace up, the 2010s will be kind to them.