Kaiser Chiefs - Off With Their Heads (Album)

**mark191082** · 11:23 AM

It would seem that some bands get to a certain stage in their career when they are selling millions of records and doing sell-out stadium shows that they begin to coast a little bit when it comes to releasing music and that time would appear to have arrived for the Kaiser Chiefs at album number three as 'Off With Their Heads' is a hugely dissapointing album that retreads their previous two efforts only with little in the way of tunes such as 'I Predict A Riot' or 'The Angry Mob' to lift it above the mediocre.

This is where Kaiser Chiefs attraction has been before in their ability to write quirky, catchy songs that zip by and allow everyone to have a good ol' sing-sing, songs that can be sung in harmony by groups of tens of thousands. On 'Off With Their Heads' there is barely a sniff of that kind of song lead single 'Never Miss A Beat' is the closest they get to it and even that fails to recover from the line ' what do you want for tea? i want crisps' ridiculous.

Mark Ronson has been brought in to add polish to the record and no doubt give it something that Blur looked to get from Norman Cook during the 'Think Tank' recordings but despite Ronson being a talented producer and giving the record a sheen he struggles with the material at times. For example good friend Lily Allen is roped in for backing vocals but you'd be hard pressed to find her here at all though she is alledged to be on the single and on 'Always Happens Like That' allegedly!?!

There is still some sign of effort here though 'Like It Too Much' shows they've still got that knack for an anthem when they choose to use it, and opener 'Spanish Metal' with it's Sergio Leone-esque intro that is still effective but you still think they should have thrown the kitchen sink at it and really been experimental and challenge themselves, throw in some strings, but nevermind.

Still there is the durge that is 'Good Days Bad Days' and 'Tomato In The Rain' (what a title) to make you forget about the good parts. It's ashame as the Chiefs' do have that charm about them and do have it in them to release a great album but they are going to have to change. I guess it's all very well when they are selling loads etc but there will come a time when people want something different and the Kaiser Chiefs will have to be ready to give them that, on this showing it's not going to happen anytime soon.

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jack s · Comment Posted on: October 15, 2008, 11:15 AM

When i think Kaiser i think " Yawn " . They are the ultimate in sticking to what sells. Very clever and they have obviously done the research, but not for me.

mark191082 · Comment Posted on: October 15, 2008, 11:19 AM

I think judging by the review i pretty much agree with that at the moment.

GlockMeAmadeus · Comment Posted on: October 15, 2008, 11:21 AM

That's so disappointing. I'm not a gigantic fan or anything, but I thought they had more up their sleeve. Too bad.

Great review, btw!

Winston's Zen · Comment Posted on: October 15, 2008, 11:23 AM

The Kaisers canceled a whole stack of shows in the States last year, coming back to Leeds to start writing this album, claiming they were desperate to "explore new ground" and "break the cycle of what normal bands do"......

Then they go and bring in Mark Ronson and Lilly Allen, get a little bit eighties and a little bit electro, and have a rapper (Sway) in to do a verse or two. Way to break the mould boys!

Another good review Mark.

mark191082 · Comment Posted on: October 15, 2008, 11:24 AM

I guess that's the thing, i believe they do have more up their sleeve but for some reason it's just not on show here and an album like this could really stifle any future output. This smacks of just cashing in on previous success rather than an attempt to make a compelling album of any kind.

GlockMeAmadeus · Comment Posted on: October 15, 2008, 04:38 PM

Isn't Sway that asshole from MTV?

Anyway, who knows why bands do what they do. You should try and score an interview with them so you can ask them what their problem is.

Winston's Zen · Comment Posted on: October 15, 2008, 04:51 PM

Probably, I don't have a TV, so couldn't be sure!
:-)

GlockMeAmadeus · Comment Posted on: October 15, 2008, 04:57 PM

I'm jealous of those who have managed to avoid the slavery of television.

I am not so strong.

Winston's Zen · Comment Posted on: October 15, 2008, 05:03 PM

Lol. The last one died and never got replaced.
iPalyer rules! 4OD sucks!

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> Home > Reviews | Kaiser Chiefs - Off With Their Heads (Album)

Kaiser Chiefs - Off With Their Heads (Album)

Polydor

October 15, 2008, 11:08 AM

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""I will come at you like an angry badger""

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""I will come at you like an angry badger""

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"Good music brings inner peace..."

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""I will come at you like an angry badger""

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"Good music brings inner peace..."

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"Good music brings inner peace..."

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