I haven't heard the new version - but when I saw the advert for it, I did think it was an odd choice for a single, as it's not very Franz Ferdiandy.

I saw them doing this on Top Of The Pops and thought it was good. I don't like Franz Ferdinand that much, and they will have to do different things like this if they want to avoid being just another flash-in-the-pan act. They've lasted longer than the Arctic Monkeys will though.

They've lasted longer than the Arctic Monkeys will though.

Not really the most inventive of predictions when you consider that Arctic Monkeys have already lost their bassist, which is never a good thing.

Well, Weezer managed to lose two bassists and keep going. Although they have been getting progressively shit since the first one left.

I didn't mean they won't last long as in 'they'll split up', I mean their popularity.

I didn't mean they won't last long as in 'they'll split up', I mean their popularity.

I know, that's what I was referring to, too. The fact that AM have lost a vital member put them at a great disadvantage popularity wise. Just look at The Darkness.

The difference being, the Darkness are shit.

And I don't think losing a bassist will affect the Monkeys' popularity all that directly. How many people can even name the guy?

To most people they're faceless and it's only the vocalist that matters. Losing the bassist won't affect them popularity-wise. What WILL affect them is the fact that next year they won't be the 'in' thing thanks to new bands coming on the scene. If they want to make it further they will have to 'sell out' (probably the most overused phrase in music ever, apart from 'the next Coldplay')

Ironically, the new Darkness bassist is better than the old one.

If they want to make it further they will have to 'sell out' (probably the most overused phrase in music ever, apart from 'the next Coldplay')

I'm not following your line of thought here, monkey. Franz Ferdinand were the new 'in' band before, you know, and they still managed to increase their popularity with their second album. Quite what you mean by 'selling out' isn't very clear. Do you think Franz sold out in order to sustain popularity over two albums? If not, then why do you think Arctic Monkeys will have to?

Yeah, I can't really see how Franz "sold out", given that - the odd track like "Eleanor" aside - the second album sounds just like the first. Only, better.