Off With Their Heads

Kaiser Chiefs

Kaiser Chiefs and their notoriously grounded and good-humoured approach to the music industry has impressed once again with recent hit Never Miss A Beat.

The driving pop rock anthem plays on simplicity, indulging in a hint of electric flare here and there to make an instantly likeable hit. The thing that most stands out about the band’s lyrics, is the comically realistic story-telling format.

This is so even if you are not particularly enjoying the music — perhaps a certain track has been overplayed — and Leeds singer Ricky Wilson often has matters on his mind other than the usual relationship angst.

Never Miss A Beat enters the world of the ‘kids on the street’ and the delectable indifference with which they view the day to day drudgery of life. Wilson’s statement ‘It’s cool to know nothing’ applauds the youth for their laid-back attitudes and in doing so ensures that everyone knows he’s still got teen culture sussed.

Kaiser Chiefs know they have a lot to live up to to retain their excellent Britpop reputation, so with man-of-the-moment Mark Ronson producing Off With Their Heads, the band has been careful to reconnect with the the characteristics that made previous efforts Employment and Yours Truly, Angry Mob stand out.

Like It Too Much incorporates strings for a touch of sophistication, but other tracks on the album stick to the band’s fundamental influences, such as seventies punk rockers, The Stranglers and Elvis Costello and The Attractions. This is also the stylistic muse for Can’t Say What I Mean and Spanish Metal.

It’s good to hear the Kaiser Chiefs doing what they do best, but Off With Their Heads isn’t without its straggler tracks — but perhaps they are growers.

RATING: ****

Kirsty Jones