*OMG, I can have it all * (Employment - Kaiser Chiefs)

Member Name: Nickycool

Product:	Employment - Kaiser Chiefs
Date:	04/11/05 (317 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great tunes and nice lyrics

Disadvantages: A couple bum note songs on this album

I bought this with the voucher I earnt from dooyoo and thought it was about time I reviewed this. Honestly, I kinda jumped on the bandwagon with this CD. It seemed like everyone was talking about so I decided to buy to see what all the fuss was about and I'm so glad I did.

History of the Kaiser Chiefs
They are a band from Leeds who formed in the early months of 2003 but this wasn't the start of their music love. Before they formed the Kaiser Chiefs, the members used to be in a garage rock band called Parva but when their label dropped them, they decided to become a more post pop/punk/rock band with an indie slant. They became popular in early 2005. They released their debut album, Employment on the 7th of March 2005. So they are quite a new band but given a chance I think they could be big. I mean this is only their debut album, imagine that they could with some experience.

Band Members
Ricky Wilson - vocals
Andrew White - guitar
Simon Rix - bass guitar
Nick 'Peanut' Baines - keyboards
Nick Hodgson - drums

Onto the CD
The front looks a bit plain to me. Like a worn box with a label on it saying Kaiser Chiefs Employment.
On the back, there's the usual list of tracks and it's nice and easy to read unlike some bands lists are.
The thing that I love about the booklet that comes with it is that is brilliantly designed. It's got all the lyrics but it's framed by a board game and at the back, it has pictures of the band in playing cards, which are placed in a middle of a board game. Just think it looks great and it's fantastic idea.
The CD looks like the wheel from Life. It goes from 1 - 10 in fancy colours.

The songs

Everyday I Love You Less and Less is the first song on the album and it's a good choice to start of this brill album. This song makes me feel happy. The song has an electric sound to it, especially the first few seconds of the intro. The guitar is quite soft and lyrics are so catchy I can't fault this song at all.

'Oh My God' is my second favourite on the album. It was the debut single in 2004 and then they re-released it in the February 21st. It sounds like it got wrote it with influence 'Madness'. Intro is very distinct; I recognise it the song immediately when it's played. Just drums and piano then just guitar just kicks in. It's lovely. The rest of the song is very catchy especially the chorus. I always chant out to this.

'I Predict A Riot' sums up Kaiser Chiefs in one song. It's catchy, punchy and just all around a great tune. It's also a fab sing-a-long song. This was their second release and it's the song that got them finally noticed by the general public.

'Modern Way' is quite a slow song but with a good beat to it. The lyrics aren't astounding, just basic and simple but it works lovely with the tune. It's not as catchy as their previous release from this album but I can understand why they chose it as it shows they have a different side to them less commercial but brilliant!

Another song that shows them in a different light is 'You Can Have It All'. It's subtle, sweet and more calm down that some of the songs on this album. It's quite catchy and has a nice melody to it. Just a gentle song in itself and lovely lyrics.

'Saturday Night' is a good rocky/punky tune although it has a hint of popness to it when it comes to the lyrics. I love the guitar solo in the middle of the song.

'Team mate' has to be the worst song on the album. It's boring and plain. It's not a song you would have expected from Kaiser Chiefs. Yet here they are singing it quietly and the music drowns it anyway. It's the last song on the album and it's a bum note to finish on. It's like they didn't have enough so they just bunged this song on it.

Another song that lets the album down is 'Born to be a Dancer'. The intro starts off well with the piano and the guitar but then it just turns into a song that I've heard a hundred times. I'm not saying it's a bad song but it sounds like a cross between Madness and the Killers.

Na Na Na Na Naa is just a song that annoys and wakes you up! Just the few na na na's make me dislike this song and that's a shame because it's got a brilliant bit of guitar in it and piano. Got skip this track after about 1 minute. 'Time Honoured Tradition's intro annoys me quite a lot and again that's a shame as it's good some great guitar riffs in it.

Overall, this is a good debut album with a few weaker songs. You can tell it's been influenced by a lot of other bands, as it sounds so old yet, it's new. Some of the songs are brilliant and some of them, you can tell that they were testing the waters and experimenting. It's definitely an album to have in your CD collect. You can buy it on amazon for £8.99 new or £5.39 used. There's also a limited edition of this album. That's got a bonus live CD but I don't think it's worth it for £17.42 used they are asking or maybe it is but it's not for me.

Good news for all the fans of Kaiser Chiefs is that they are doing the final touring for Employment in April 2006 and that the tickets on a sale tomorrow. Check out their website for more details about the tour, their music and the band.

Track Listings
1. Everyday I Love You Less And Less
2. I Predict A Riot
3. Modern Way
4. Na Na Na Na Naa
5. You Can Have It All
6. Oh My God
7. Born To Be A Dancer
8. Saturday Night
9. What Did I Ever Give You?
10. Time Honoured Tradition
11. Caroline, Yes!
12. Team Mate

Summary: A good cd with some weaker songs