Starting out on the right track

Kaiser Chiefs - Employment
(Universal)
3 1/2 stars (out of 5 stars)
Reviewed: May 1, 2005

Review by Andy Argyrakis

Considering the Kaiser Chiefs hail from Leeds, England, it's no wonder why they glean from so many of the Brit pop and new wave visions from its fellow countrymen. And since those sounds never seem to go out of style (and are particularly hot at the moment) it shouldn't come as any surprise that the five piece has already achieved a lot in America, even with only a few months on store shelves. For starters, the gang's unshakably familiar pop ditty "I Predict a Riot" took notable L.A. radio stations KROQ and Indie103 by storm without an ounce of radio promotion. From there, the group sold out shows in that east coast industry city, along with the always fickle New York audience prior to the album's release, plus the second spot on NME's 2005 "Band to Watch" list.
So with all this pre-built notoriety and talk (further heightened at an over populated SxSW appearance) will the group's debut Employment keep them in business for long? Some of the tracks indicate this could very well be the case, especially the manta-like repetition of "I Predict a Riot" and the glowing melodic tension ease "You Can Have It All." Both, along with the sarcastic sassiness of "Born To Be a Dancer" and the enraged piano pop of "Na Na Na Na Naa," point the cards in the guys' favor, all quite likely to serve as radio staples backed by diligent performances.
But even with such delightful demonstrations, the Kaiser Chiefs aren't without fault, which can all be traced backed to its influential home country. Obviously groups like The Jam, The Smiths and Blur have made a major impact on this crew (thus aptly covering the best of the 70s, 80s and 90s) yet sometimes overly strong borrowing doesn't leave room for individuality. "Everyday I Love You Less and Less" could've come straight from the mouth of Paul Weller himself, hints of Morrissey creep into "Modern Way," while Damon Albarn might be found taking lead on "Caroline, Yes" in another life. Of course, there are worse artists to pattern a band after, it's just that with such promise in certain instances, a bit more originality should've been in order. Depending on which way the Kaiser Chiefs go the next trip into the studio will determine lifelong fate, though it's safe to say they're at least partially starting on the right track.