You have to wonder about the longevity of Franz Ferdinand, Jet and The Killers. In twenty years, will they be remembered as decade has-beens like INXS, Psychedelic Furs or The Fixx? It seems for every long-lived Pearl Jam, there are ten trendy Razorlights or Hot Hot Heats. If the British invasion is here, count Leed’s Kaiser Chiefs as one of the gang.
Romanticizing themselves in the British lore of The Jam, Kinks and The Clash, Kaiser Chiefs make alluring danceable rock mixed with shades of punk on their debut – Employment. Featuring vacant lyrics - “Everyday I love you less and less/I can’t believe once you and me did sex,” Employment is most certainly songwriting 101. But done with the confident vocals of Ricky Wilson, lavish new-wave keyboards of Peanut, jangly guitar work of Andrew White and bouncy bass of Simon Rix (yes, that’s his real name), the band should have no problem gaining momentum from sheen alone.
The catchy guitar anthem, “I predict a riot,” might finally take out Franz Ferdinand’s “Take Me Out” of modern rock radio rotation. But when White screams, “I predict a riot,”…Joe Strummer he’s not. Employment is full of boisterous songs about fights, partying, girls and Saturday night, which are pretty much summed up in the fourth track - “Na Na Na Na Naa.” The Kasier Chiefs do have a knack for rocking hooks in “You Can Have It All” and “Born To Be A Dancer.” But they never set out to be heady and when they tone it down in “Modern Way,” it’s hard to know if it’s a come on or are they being plain serious.
Sure, these five lads may be on the verge of being the next big thing, but Employment proves Kaiser Chiefs will be looking for work down the road.
For more info see: kaiserchiefs.co.uk
