Kaiser Chiefs – Yours Truly, Angry Mob

Umvd Labels 2007

Rating: 7.5/10

Original Release Date: 3/27/07 (U.S.)

 

From a little-known garage band slowly working out what would become a hit single in England, to signing a deal with Universal, to playing at the 2005 Philadelphia Live 8 fundraiser, the Kaiser Chiefs is just another in a series of British bands that have hit it big over the past four years. Since Franz Ferdinand’s 2004 single “Take Me Out” attracted America’s attention overseas, another kind of “British Invasion” has taken place, with dozens of English bands attempting to recreate their domestic commercial success on American shores.

The Kaiser Chiefs’ debug Employment was one of the brighter spots of this first wave of British musicians. Acclaimed for their comments on British lower-middle-class life and their tongue-in-cheek love songs, the Kaiser Chiefs spent most of the time in between Employment headlining festivals, touring, and battling comparisons to ‘90s Brit-Poppers Blur. It didn’t help that singer Ricky Wilson was the victim of a hit-and-run and spent much of 2005 in a plaster cast.

Their second album, Yours Truly, Angry Mob, was released in the U.K. back in February and was their first #1 album. Although they don’t have the kind of recognition here that they do back in the motherland, there is nothing in the album itself that should prevent it from selling thousands here. It’s a finely crafted Brit-pop record that is at once familiar yet new and intriguing for American listeners.

First single “Ruby” starts off the album in typical Kaiser Chiefs fashion, with a jaunty guitar propelling the song and a series of very British “ah-ah-aaahs” harmonizing. The song has a chorus that could easily move stadium crowds to sing-a-longs, although the lyrics are fairly simple.

The next song, “The Angry Mob,” is one of the best tunes on the album. The drums and ominous guitar provide an angular rhythm that complements the excellent crowd chanting near the rising climax.

Yours Truly, Angry Mob’s songs can be easily divided into two sections: songs of love lost and won, and commentaries or philosophizing on society. Of the former, the Chiefs have nearly perfected their craft. “Heat Dies Down” and “Love’s Not a Competition, But I’m Winning” strike out at ex’s and laments failed relationships.

“Heat” sounds like a second single, all Britpop melodies and a hard-to-forget chorus, while “Competition” is one of a very few acoustic songs the Chiefs have attempted. They pull it off well, with piano, guitar, and an ending that slowly fades away with a kind of delicate beauty.

The Chiefs reflections on society fare only a little worse, although they give it a solid shot. Although “The Angry Mob” and closer “Retirement,” are excellent songs, a few fail to go anywhere.

“Highroyds,” while having some choice lyrics (“They let in all the girls from the year below / No need for ID’s with those dresses”) lacks a memorable musical structure and Wilson struggles to sound tough.

“Try Your Best” is a slow song in the mold of “Competition,” but relies too much on drums and a nearly ambient guitar line, as well as being bogged down by vague lyrics.

Another sign of a future change in the Chiefs’ musical sensibilities can be found on “Boxing Champ/Learnt My Lesson Well,” which inexplicably was combined into one song on the American release. “Boxing Champ” features just an uplifting piano line and the vocal stylings of drummer Nick Hodgson, the band’s principal songwriter. Hodgson’s honest, earnest pipes nearly make this song the best on the record, but sadly it is little over a minute long.

“Boxing Champ” immediately segues into “Learnt My Lesson Well,” which is heralded by a pounding tom rhythm and a menacing guitar part. Although lyrically it is a bit trifling, the band’s energetic gusto makes up for it.

While lacking the fiery, urgent energy of a band attempting to distinguish themselves that Employment offered in spades, Kaiser Chiefs’ latest still has enough hooks and melodies to power a summer of singalongs.