The Kaiser Chief’s return with there hotly anticipated second album ‘Yours Truly, Angry Mob’, following their illustrious debut ‘Employment’ was always going to be something of an uphill struggle. Its seemingly endless stream of super catchy sing along a singles struck me as something of a lightning never strikes twice scenario.
And yet here they are again a little older, a little less flippant and throwaway in their approach but undeniably still the Kaiser Chiefs. The pop sensibilities remain and the lyrics hold the bittersweet caustic sentiments of before, possibly fleshed out a little more this time and not relying on the boozy choruses of their first album. The strongest moments come in the form of tracks like Heat Dies Down and its tale of urban discontent and Highroyds with its Pulp-esque reminiscences of youth.
Songs like Love’s Not A Competition and Thank You Very Much show I dare say it more thoughtful approach to their craft, the latter drifts into slightly less sparse early Talking Heads stylings with its pranged stop and start guitars and forced rhythmic lyric.
This is the sound of a band who have grown up for their second release, the full lush production courtesy of Stephen Street helps and Ricky Wilson has a little more confidence in his voice and on these recordings doesn’t seem to be pushing to the limit which I often felt was the case on the first album. Nick (the drummer) gets vocal duties on the melancholy lilt of Boxing Champ, it makes a nice departure from Ricky’s cock sure Northern lilt to hear something a touch gentler.
All in all, this is quite an immediate little prospect. Not quite possessing the immediacy of its predecessor but by the same token I think its safe to say it will garner the same longevity. Nice to see that success hasn’t turned this bunch’s heads.
