Kaiser Chiefs - Start The Revolution Without Me Album Review
Whilst variety is the spice of life, the diversity of the album is its greatest downfall.
rating: 2.5
Ah, the Kaiser Chiefs. Ask anyone around the ages of 18-21 about their first album purchases, and chances are it wont be long until you hear their first album, Employment, being brought up into conversation. After its release back in 2004, the band rode a wave of success based on the numerous hit singles including Modern Way, Oh My God and of course, I Predict A Riot. Unfortunately, they have struggled to match the success of their debut, and last year they attempted to rekindle public interest in the band with the innovative release of their album The Future Is Medieval. A unique idea, the band allowed listeners to create their own album of ten tracks from a selection of twenty that they posted online, as well as design their own cover art. The band didnt really receive the overwhelming reaction they hoped though, and later that month released the album as a physical CD with their own chosen tracklisting. Fast forward nine months and they are releasing the album in North America under the title Start The Revolution Without Me, as a sort of compilation, containing some tracks from the online release of The Future Is Medieval, some from the physical release and a handful of new songs. The most recognisable track on the album will probably be the opening song and lead single, Little Shocks. Easily one of the albums stronger moments, it would have fit onto Employment without a doubt. Bursting with melody, a memorable, catchy chorus, and understated distorted guitar riffs that build throughout the song, it is classic Kaiser Chiefs and gives the album a strong start, along with second track On The Run, a new song written specifically for the album complete with the trademark whoa-oooooaaaaaas that made Employment so much fun. This promising opening soon slows down with third track Heard It Break. Starting with a synth-line reminiscent of La Roux, it is a weird combination of 80s synth pop and reggae, with the line I feel like I broke my heart, but it was just a sprain being repeated over a steel drum backing that feels so hilariously out of place on an indie rock album. Im all for experimentation, but come on guys. Reggae? Really? The album doesnt improve much during the middle. I have nothing good to say at all about Starts With Nothing, and far too many of the tracks are just completely forgettable. There are some better moments towards the end of the album with songs such as Problem Solved and Cant Mind My Own Business, the former being a great slab of guitar driven indie, dripping with the enigmatic charm of frontman Ricky Wilsons vocal delivery. Final track If You Will Have Me is the albums greatest curveball by far (even taking the bloody steel drums into account), so much so that I had to check iTunes to find out if I was still listening to the same album. Wilson puts on his best Paul McCartney impression for a track that is pure Beatles homage, with a simple strings backing accompanying a gentle acoustic guitar melody. Whether or not it belongs on a Kaiser Chiefs record is a completely different question, but it is certainly worth a listen. Whilst variety is the spice of life, the diversity of the album is its greatest downfall. Because of the fragmented way it has been put together with a spattering of songs from various versions of the album, there is no sense of flow to it. Instead, it feels more like a mixtape; a playlist someone has created that doesnt fit any one specific mood. Due to all the experimentation, there is a real lack of focus on Start The Revolution Without Me. Now, where did I leave that copy of Employment? Start The Revolution Without Me is available for purchase now. Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/kaiserchiefshttp://www.kaiserchiefs.com/