Scottish rockers Franz Ferdinand are to team up with pop eccentrics Sparks for a new album project in early 2005.

The TAKE ME OUT hitmakers will assemble a Sparks best of after being approached by brothers RON and RUSSELL MAEL - and the four-piece will record a new Mael-penned tune for the album.

Franz Ferdinand frontman ALEX KAPRANOS says, "We're really big fans of Sparks so it was a real great experience to meet them."

The Los Angeles-based Sparks brothers have enjoyed a string of cult hits, including THIS TOWN AIN'T BIG ENOUGH FOR BOTH OF US, BEAT THE CLOCK and THE NUMBER ONE SONG IN HEAVEN.

31/12/2004 01:14