Kaiser Chiefs Employment CD

Emerging in an era rife with New Wave rip-off artists, the Kaiser Chiefs ran the risk of their sharp suits, angular haircuts, and early-1980s influences being taken the wrong way. While many of their peers shamelessly aped the most obvious aspects of the Cure, New Order, et al, Kaiser Chiefs (the name comes from a South African soccer team) much more subtly incorporated the sensibilities of their influences. Though one can hear traces of everything from Madness to XTC and Adam & the Ants on the Chiefs 2005 debut album, EMPLOYMENT, these Brits are no one's slavish imitators. Their undeniably catchy melodies, sarcastically witty lyrics, and often-sophisticated song structures bespeak a band that has developed its own style. Thus, the record finds Kaiser Chiefs standing head and shoulders above the mid-2000s neo-New Wave pack, brimming with energy, smarts, and promise.

Audio Mixers: Stephen Harris; Stephen Street; Cenzo Townshend.

Recording information: Olympic Studios, Barnes, London, England; Town House Studios, London, England.

Editor: Tom Stanley.

Photographers: Jason Kelvin; Andy Melchior.

Kaiser Chiefs: Ricky Wilson (vocals); Andrew White (guitar); Peanut (keyboards); Simon Rix, Nick Hodgson.

Personnel: Nick Hodgson (vocals, drums); Adey Wilson (vocals); Andrew White (guitar); Simon Rix (bass guitar).

Rolling Stone (p.76) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[D]anceable art-punk gems full of guitar fuzz, na-na-na choruses and boyish energy..."
Rolling Stone (p.68) - "[D]anceable art-punk gems full of guitar fuzz."
Spin (p.62) - Ranked #19 in Spin's "40 Best Albums Of 2005" - "[A] cohesive debut that recalls the glory days of Britpop and second-wave punk."
Spin (p.102) - "[T]he quintet bash through nervy, synth-stoked guitar pop....[With] a dedication to daffy English humor and bouncy music-hall folderol that creates the illusion of cultural import." - Grade: B+
Entertainment Weekly (No. 814, p.64) - "[T]he Leeds five have polished their ability to craft catchy songs..." - Grade: B
Uncut (p.105) - 4 stars out of 5 - "EMPLOYMENT is a gem...In the smart-pop steeplechase, Hot Hot Heat have got serious competition."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.64) - Ranked #50 in Mojo's "The 50 Best Albums Of 2005" - "Ricky Wilson's cheeky chappies proved the power of knowing daftness."
Mojo (Publisher) (p.109) - 4 stars out of 5 - "[E]mploying ill-fitting suits, tongue-in-cheek lyricism and a jerky guitar attack that smelts the classic rock canon into an infectious, head-spinning punch."