Rangers: Why The Third Division Is An Opportunity For Change
“Kaiser Chiefs” are a five-piece indie rock band hailed from Leeds, England. They consist of frontman Ricky Wilson (Vocals), Andrew ‘Whitey’ White (Guitar), Simon Rix (Bass), Nick ‘Peanut’ Baines (Keyboards) and Nick Hodgson (Drums). They are noted for their musical genre in post-punk revival and new wave. Kaiser Chiefs were formed way back in 1996 – 1997. On an interview with BBC, Kaiser Chiefs were named after South African football club Kaizer Chiefs, a club where former Leeds United defender Lucas Radebe played for.
The third album Off With Their Heads kicks off with cheeky “Spanish Metal”. Pay attention to the keyboard, it’s like a modern background music used in a cowboy flick, especially when two cowboys are preparing to draw their pistols for a gun fight. Just cute isn’t it? Spanish Metal is a heavy guitar-based introducing track, in the verse, you’ll find frontman Ricky singing in a somewhat very subtle voice. I find this track kind of cute. Go Kaiser Chiefs!
“Never Miss A Beat” is very funky and catchy. The combination of the singing and the music fit in very well here. Once the first verse comes in, i already knew i’m going to like this track. Check out the lyrics, “What did you learn today? I learned nothing. What did you do today? I did nothing. What did you learn at school? I didn’t go. Why didn’t you go to school? I don’t know…” It’s simple, but yet it ables to make me repeat these phrases over and over again. Starting to stuck in my head. Never Miss A Beat is always building up the tempo and climbing up the stairs, once it reaches the peak, then only Ricky and other featured guests can be heard singing together. The featured guests are Lily Allen and three members of indie band New Young Pony Club, Anne-Marie Chirema, Lou Hayter and Sarah Jones. Nice guests appearances.
“Like It Too Much” has this thing that makes me hopes that this track is never going to stop. When it reaches a certain point like the chorus and once Ricky is almost done singing the chorus, the music and rhythm just gets me hoping for more singing from Ricky. It sounds complicated, but it’s true. Like It Too Much is also the only track that features the phrase “Off With Their Heads” in its lyrics. What makes this track unforgettable is the string arrangements by David Arnold of James Bond fame and the inclusion of a number of instruments such as violin, viola and cello. After a few listens, you would find as if Kaiser Chiefs were performing with the help of a big orchestra. Bravo!
“You Want History” has a strong electronic elements and at times, groovy. Anne-Marie Chirema, Lou Hayter and Sarah Jones of New Young Pony Club again do some backing vocals on this track. The singing by Ricky sounds like a robot to me in his effort to follow the beat and rhythm of the music. The beginning of You Want History is cute with the electronic music going on, as this song goes along, the chorus is catchy as well, as Ricky sings, “It’s a mystery, oh, it’s a mystery, you want history, oh its a mystery…”, the keyboard just comes in. I find it catchy in a faint hilarious way.
In “Can’t Say What I Mean”, you’d find frontman Ricky hardly has time to gasp for air. It’s fast and groovy. The bass especially sounds like a motorcyle’s engine, it just keeps grooving. The keyboard also being played in a way that is so cheeky i would say. It just has the same rhythm all the way, but it blends in just fine. Great and cute stuff again by Kaiser Chiefs!
“Good Days Bad Days” is very cheerful and positive. It starts from a distance before the rest of Kaiser Chiefs just come in and join the fun. The guitar especially is very, very catchy. Amazing riff! With each verse, the guitar just follows, making it unbearable to miss it. When comes the break, the short guitar solo and the djembe playing are really something to be remembered. When you’re feeling down, have a break and listen to Good Days Bad Days, this music is designed to make you feel good. Have a look at their final verse, “If you had a different attitude, instead of take and take and take, you have missed an opportunity, and that’s a really big mistake, if you had a different attitude, you’d still have good days and bad days…” I feel great now!
Kaiser Chiefs slow it down with “Tomato In The Rain”. I would describe this track as soft and infectious. Ricky’s voice is found soft throughout this lovely track and the music in the chorus has a hook that is really infectious. This only part is short, but 풀싸롱 can cause a stir. “Yes I do know about you, shall I come home…?”, what a lovely and simple phrase, but whenever Ricky sings this phrase, the whole Kaiser Chiefs just let themselves in and provide some backing vocals for Ricky. Lovingly infectious!
“Half The Truth” brings the notches up again! The keyboard on this track is kind of good. Ricky doesn’t really sound like singing, he sounds more like rapping and talking his way through this track. Fast and furious! When the chorus comes, the keyboard is played in a way that you would only hear it in a haunted house. Nice and scary. The lyrics are also written smartly, “I will not lie to you, but i defiantly only gave you half the truth, i wil not lie to you…”. It puts smile on my face after listening to it. Kaiser Chiefs also brought in a special guest, Sway DaSafo (A rapper from UK), to help finish Half The Truth in style! Crunchy!
“Always Happens Like That” is a funky and groovy pop song from Kaiser Chiefs. It has the quality to make one dance. After each verse, Ricky will go, “And it always happens like that…” Lily Allen is also featured on this track, they make a great team singing together. The guitar on Always Happens Like That is also everything but sad. It’ll make you feel better and happier, just like Good Days Bad Days. At times, it reminds me of Nick Valensi of The Strokes with the chirpy guitar sound.
“Addicted To Drugs” awed me at the beginning with the Agogo bells (Courtesy of producer Mark Ronson). It’s very delicious how the Agogo bells fit in so well into this track. It’s very, very groovy here. The music here doesn’t fit the title at all, it sounds more cheerful than it should be if you just look at the title, Addicted To Drugs. This track alone can be the anthem for Off With Their Heads, the part where Kaiser Chiefs go, “Woah… Yeah…” will definitely straighten you up right away. In fact, Kaiser Chiefs make this song sweaty sexy as well.
Wow, after a great deal of some cheeky and catchy tunes, Kaiser Chiefs’ “Remember You’re A Girl” is also not to be taken lightly. Remember You’re A Girl is a lovely indie pop tune that you’d find almost every member of Kaiser Chiefs contributes on the singing part. It’s very soothing to listen to such track after a long hard day at the office or work. Ricky and co. can be heard singing in a softer tone, as if singing to little children who are fast asleep. Just so lovely and sweet!