Kaiser Chiefs — Employment

Hot listed Leeds quintet Kaiser Chiefs continue the U.K.'s retro-rock revival with a solid debut album that leans towards The Futureheads' robust new wave/punk workouts. Evoking the struggles and alienation of the working class may be oh-so-British, but the Chiefs don't forget to write infectious, rock 'n' roll dance party songs. This is evident on the exuberant Smiths-meets-Blur-meets-Clash single "I Predict A Riot" and "Oh My God," a part-funk, part-anthem rocker with its shout-along chorus, "Oh my God, I can't believe it/I've never been this far away from home." Although new wave's second wave might be wearing out its welcome, the Chiefs are just oddball enough to keep synth players hired for another couple years.

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