Employment

by

Kaiser Chiefs

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Kaiser Chiefs hail from Leeds but named themselves after a soccer team in South Africa. After a commercially under-the-radar but critically acclaimed debut single last Spring, Kaiser Chiefs became a hot commodity, leading to the UK breakout single "I Predict a Riot" last Fall.

"Employment" (12 tracks, 44 min.) starts off with a British humor-bursting "Everyday I Love You Less and Less", with the music just as irreverent and fun. "I Predict a Riot" is the monster track on this album, insanely catchy (similar in spirit to Franz Ferdinand's "Take Me Out" on its debut album). I'm just afraid that eventually this will cross play onto US mainstream radio and it'll get played to death (again, see "Take Me Out"). The first half of the album is near perfect: "Modern Way", "Na Na Na Na Naa" and "Oh My God" are all irresitable (the latter being that obscure debut single, but it's being re-released in the UK). The second half is not as strong, but still quite strong, in particular "Saturday Night", the lite-reggae "What Did I Ever Give You", and the 60s-Kinks sounding "Time Honoured Tradition".

It's not like the Kaiser Chiefs have come up with a new or unique sound, but "Employment" is a fun album with lots of catchy songs, very much like Franz Ferdinand did a year ago. The UK music scene is brimming with good new bands (the Futureheads, Kasabian, Bloc Party, etc.) and Kaiser Chiefs stand proudly at the head of that group. Highly recommended!

The debut from The Kaiser Chiefs is a shiny toy that delights and enthuses, but grows old as soon as the next clever piece comes along. "Employment" is a solid compendium of Britpop influences from The Jam to Blur (down to having Steven Street produce) that, while generally listenable, doesn't transcend the sum of its influences. Which means that the singles grab you as soon as they pop from the speakers, but you don't get a sense of identity. "I Predict a Riot" sounds like a Jam outtake, "Born To Be A Dancer" could be later day Madness. Ricky Wilson is a great impressionist...he sounds like every great English singer from Ray Davies to Damon Alburn.

The band certainly harbors ambitions to greatness. "I Predict A Riot" points to a working-class conscious, and the opening "Everyday I Love You Less and Less" shows wit. Kaiser Chiefs even take a sly nod towards the Beach Boys when they title a song "Caroline Yes." The majority of "Employment" will sound great blasting from a pub jukebox. These are a collection of swell songs, great for drinking and footballer shouts ("Time Honoured Tradition" or "Saturday Night"), but not much as a crafted album.

I have enjoyed this for over a year now and still return for the highlights ("Riot," "Dancer," "Saturday Night" and "Oh My God"), but like so many of these 80's revival bands, there seems to be no expression beyond the opportunity to make an energetic song or two. While that might keep you off the dole, it doesn't bode well for longevity. (And as the less than impressive "Yours Truly, Angry Mob" indicates, Kaiser Chiefs may be running out of steam quickly.)