2005 was certainly a good year, and one that will live long in the memory for any who cares to remember those twelve long months. Well lets face it everyone will remember the events of this vintage of vintage years! Especially if your from Yorkshire! And to be more specific Leeds. Why Leeds? Well there are a number of reasons, but I think you know why! Kaiser Chiefs a name derived from a South African Football Team were released upon the British music loving public! A maelstrom of affection was declared and the band repaid this sign of loyalty be releasing Employment. A album which is so totally crammed full of sing a long tunes that you wish, oh how you wish, that you could live out the life of either Ricky or Peanut, or Nick, or Whitey or Simon!
2006 has begun just as it did the same time last year. This time around things are looking a lot more rosey! A new album is in the pipeline, the have picked up four Brit nominations and a whopping six NME award nominations. The most any band has been credited with. Best Live Band, Best Album, Best Video (I Predict A Riot), Best British Band, Best Track (I Predict A Riot) and Best Music DVD. A very long list, you'll have to agree and one that is fully justified! (the competitions is fiercely hot so it's going to be the mother and father of scraps to see who wins!)
Where to start with such an immense album? Well, for me, there can only be one starting point, and one I hope you'll agree with. I Predict A Riot! Had to be, didn't it! A killer chorus which just cries out to be sung by the heaving masses. To be part of, and recover from a very sore throat, this heaving mass at a Chiefs gig late spring last year, yours truly can totally fall to his knees and thank the lord above for such a colossal track as this. Catchy tune, killer lyrics what more can you ask for! Oh My God! Again thank you oh wise one!!! You are truly supreme! Killer chorus take two! "Oh My God I can't believe this/I never been this far away from home": Well that's strictly not true I was only in the London Astoria, didn't take me that long to get home! These two songs alone would make damn sure that Kaiser Chiefs are firmly, and forever, placed in the higher echelons of the music industry. Recently released tracks such as Everyday I Love You Less And Less and Modern Way again give us another slice of Chiefs life, the humble way in which these Yorkshire lads identify certain issues and values in their everyday lives. A more sobering, more sincere take on values are found evident in You Can Have It All and What Did I Ever Give You? The Chiefs even dish out alarmingly good advice about healthy eating ("Well it's not an old wives tale, too eat to much red meat and ale/ Will make you pay, get five a day or that is the end of you"). The even tell you about the disadvantage of drinking to alcohol "These nights of booze catch up with yous/And that is an actual fact"; or ultimately face the haunting truth about the dark side of life ("You cannot cheat the reapers reap and that is the end of that"). Level headed fellows at play here me thinks. Knowledgeable and sensible. All this from Time Honored Tradition
This is an album which simply bubbles with home truths and gives you a glimpse at life in modern day Leeds. These Fives mortals have concocted a album of brutally honest views and thoughts which you simple take time out and listen and understand. As you delve through the album you find little nuggets of information, which to the whole nation would understand and do well to follow. (though that is entirely up to the individual)
This album is cool. And like most Chieftons I've seen the show, bought the t-shirt and got the album! And like most Chieftons I'll be happily singing the words to I Predict A Riot from now to eternity! Roll on the second album!