Kaiser Chiefs - The Future Is Medieval - 27.06.2011

The Kaiser Chiefs have returned with an inventive if annoying way of selecting your own album, but have decided to give us an official release and here's what I thought of it:

I’m guessing that you will know by now that the Kaiser Chiefs have returned. Fresh from a three -year break, it seems Ricky Wilson and Co. are looking to make up for lost time. They’ve ‘revolutionised’ the music industry with a unique pay-for-the-songs-you-want-to-make-your-own-album system that they themselves developed, and have hit the festival circuit hard (Isle of Wight, Hard Rock Calling, Glastonbury and V in England alone). Now, they’re back with fourth album ‘The Future Is Medieval’. And it’s definitely the Kaiser Chiefs.

From the word go with sharp lead single ‘Little Shocks’, it’s that jaunty indie that we’ve grown to love from the Leeds quintet with very little in way of a new style. Many of the tracks could have been lifted from their previous efforts, but after the tepidly received ‘Off With Their Heads’, the stronger songs do represent somewhat of a return to form.

‘Coming Up For Air’ is possibly their finest hour since ‘Modern Way’; poignantly melodic, a swelling chorus and brilliant Wilson vocals make for a phenomenal modern ballad. ‘Child Of The Jago’, with the opening air of ‘I Predict A Riot’, is dark and brooding, while ‘Man on Mars’ sees drummer and chief songwriter Nick Hodgson take centre stage in an greatly pleasurable and dreamy guitar quest.

‘Long Way From Celebrating’ and ‘Dead Or In Serious Trouble’ remind of us of why this band became big back when ‘Employment’ was revealed; short, snappy and witty indie rock with that intangible yet moreish English feel, if not quite with the hooking brilliance of ‘Oh My God’ or ‘Na Na Na Na Naa’. ‘Out of Focus’ is a dazzling electronic meander, then the sombre acoustic and strings afterthought 'If You Will Have Me' and the David Bowie-esque ‘Things Change’ make for a pleasing if not ground-breaking record.

Unfortunately, there are a few tracks that kind of detract from the general satisfaction of the rest of ‘The Future Is Medieval’. ‘Starts With Nothing’ is a dull and repetitive bore, with the chanted mantra ‘You start with nothing/And you’ll end with nothing’ in reality as depressing as it looks on paper. ‘Heard It Break’ is the example of when the Kaiser’s quickfire Britrock goes wrong, and ‘When All Is Quiet’ is a failed attempt at a Beatles tribute song. It’s an effort that could have maybe done with the drum-driven ‘Cousin In The Bronx’, eerily resounding ‘Back In December’ or spontaneous flirter ‘Kinda Girl You Are’, but alas they fell prey to the album selection process.

But all in all, it’s Kaiser Chiefs-by-numbers. It ticks all the boxes; witty in places, endlessly jaunty and pokey indie pop and you just don’t mistake a Ricky Wilson vocal. And it reminds you of how much you miss that undeniably British Kaisers sound. It may not measure up to the instant catchiness of ‘Employment’ or ‘Yours Truly, Angry Mob’, but it’s good to have them back.

A good effort from the Leeds boys, and here's best song 'Coming Up For Air'.

NWR