KAISER CHIEFS is the grittier, livelier band amidst the new British crop of revivalists. Strongly influenced by luminars THE JAM and incorporating the Rock N Roll seeds of their hometown Leeds (THE WHO made history with one of the very best - and raunchy - live records ever seen back in 1969), the band is a fervent jigsaw of some of the best music of previous decades.
Vocalist Ricky Wilson sings with the urgency of Paul Weller and the sneer of BUZZCOCKS Howard Devoto; guitarist Andrew White rocks like GANG OF FOUR s Andy Gill on amphetamines; bassist Simon Rix is a menace thru and thru, much like early THE CURE s Mike Dempsey; keyboardist Nick Baines brings back THE STRANGLERS; finally, drummer Nick Hodgson pounds like his life depended on it, trading shoulders with any New Rock skinsman.
This band reached the English charts even before they had a recording label (in 2004, with Oh My God). The single I m in, I Predict a Riot was released simultaneously on the isle and in US in August 21st 2004. The title track was a constant presence in some US alternative stations.
Deservedly. I Predict a Riot is the best single THE JAM forgot to record prior to Weller s soulful infatuation that would engender THE STYLE COUNCIL. It is a bold, mean, bass-lead, one-two-three-four Mod-Punk smash, curvaceous vocals, impeccable la-la-las, fiery riffs. This is nothing new, this is everything made anew. The chorus made pubs and street corners rejoice in unisom! If not perfect, that s due to the violation of the 3-minute-gem formula (here is 4).
The flipside, Sink That Ship, is a funny piece of retro nostalgia. It perfectly recaptulates, encapsulates the 1977 mood/mod. Linear, martial drumming, jangly riffing, ever-expanding vocals and choruses, tempo shifts and the most perfect Ohhh Ohhh Ohhhs I ve ever been introduced to putting aside Doo-Woop of course. FRANZ FERDINAND, hands down. Almost perfect, as much as its A-Side counterpart (this time, 2 minutes).
This is not just one of the very bands of nowadays. It could arguably have competed, more of less, with their forefathers. See ya! Check out their full-lenght debut, 2005 s Entertainment (hum, I ve heard this before).
Tracklist:
(* * * * *) I Predict A Riot
(* * * * *) Sink That Ship
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Getting ready to go out
