My Amazon Reviews: The Kaiser Chiefs "Start The Revolution Without Me"

Revolution Bypassed
3 Out Of 5 Stars

As much as I enjoyed the Kaiser Chiefs' first two albums and found some things to like on "Off With Their Heads," "Start The Revolution Without Me" is a pedestrian record. Those early albums had a post new-wave snap to them that made the best of the early singles engaging; this new album is sorely lacking in that division. Lead singer Ricky Wilson sounds mostly uninspired, repetitive choruses go nowhere, the sense of fun is missing, and there are few memorable songs to be found.

The one really good song here is "I Heard It Break," which toys with a nifty synth-line and a clever one-liner chorus ("It feels like I broke my heart again, but it's just a sprain"). "Kinda Girl You Are" is peppy, reminding the listener of former glories, and the string laden "If You Will Have Me" (sung by drummer Nick Hodgson) is a serious moment that works. However, the Kaiser Chiefs previously had albums loaded with this kind of catchy Brit-pop. "Start The Revolution Without Me" unfortunately, feels like the sound of diminishing returns.

     

My Amazon Reviews: The Kooks "Junk Of The Heart"

Kooks with no Hooks
3 Out Of 5 Stars

The third Kooks album is showing the signs of slippage. The debut flew in with the flock that included buzz bands like Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Chiefs and others with a smart and punchy rock album in the classic sense of The Kinks or even Oasis. The second album, "Konk," played up The Kinks connection even more, with punchier songs and snappy lyrics. I was really hoping for continued progression with "Junk of The Heart," however, the songs are retracting their claws.

"Junk Of The Heart" is a softer, sweeter Kooks. The songs are breezier and weirdly inoffensive, given song titles like "Eff The World Off" or "No More Mr Nice Guy." Now, both the title track/lead single and the clever "Eskimo Kiss" maintain that Kinksian air about them, while the strings that saturate "Time Above The Earth" are a first for the band, just before leading into the Police-influenced "Runaway." The rest of the songs often feel unfinished or weightless. Lead singer Luke Prichard still has appeal, and I am hoping "Junk of The Heart" is just a blip.