The third album by the Kaiser Chiefs has its moments. It was never going to be easy to match ‘Yours Truly, Angry Mob’ or ‘Employment’. The Chiefs widened their style and lost impact in return.
The first single ‘Never Miss A Beat’ sets a brisk pace which the rest of the album can’t follow. It’s really the only song here harping back to early Kaiser Chief days of frenetic energy. The band’s more at ease on mid-tempo numbers these days.
Watch The Video For ‘Never Miss A Beat’
‘Good Days, Bad Days’ is an excellent example for the Kaiser Chiefs playing in this new, lower gear. The song reminds me of The Clash after they stepped off the accelerator after their debut album ‘The Clash’. Listen closely to ‘Good Days, Bad Days’ and you get to a place somewhere between ‘Spanish Bombs’ and ‘Lost In The Supermarket’.
‘Off With Their Heads’ is not the Kaiser Chief’s ‘London Calling’ (nerd alert: ‘London Calling’ was, incidentally, The Clash’s third album as well). It generally lacks direction and energy levels are running dangerously low on many of the tracks. So, to stretch the Clash comparison a bit further, ‘Off’ is closer to ‘Give ‘Em Enough Rope’.
‘Good Days, Bad Days’ and ‘Never Miss A Beat’ are clearly the standout tracks here. ‘Always Happens Like That’ is a mid-tempo pop tune with a touch of quirky 80’s pop band Orange Juice. ‘Tomato In The Rain’ is, despite its cringeworthy title, a decent ballad.
After that we’re on a slippery slope to nowhere. The Chiefs are just all over the place. ‘You Want History’ is catchy but bland, ‘Spanish Metal’ is a bit of a dirge and on ‘Can’t Say What I Mean’ the Kaiser Chiefs even sound like a sub-Oasis cover band.
Without clear direction and with catchy hooks spread thinly across the album, ‘Off With Their Heads’ still offers four strong additions to the Chief’s live set list. ‘Good Days, Bad Days’ could become a real singalong favourite.
On stage, the Chiefs might still surprise and shift up a gear. The band will be on tour early next year. Check dates and buy Kasier Chief concert tickets online.
We say: 
Listen Here To ‘Off With Their Heads’ and download the album from iTunes UK. The Kaiser Chief’s new album will also be available for download from amazon.com from 28th October.
US Readers - Why Wait For The Download Version, Buy Kaiser Chiefs On CD And Import Vinyl Here!
UK And Ireland Readers - Buy Kaiser Chiefs On CD And Vinyl Here!
