Kaiser Chiefs – Employment

Kaiser Chiefs – Employment

Released in March 2005, Employment is the hugely successful debut album from Leeds indie rock band Kaiser Chiefs and one of the defining British guitar records of the mid-2000s. Bursting with infectious choruses, sharp-edged guitars, driving rhythms and irreverent lyrical observations, it captures the energy and excitement of the UK indie revival that brought British guitar music back into the mainstream.

Emerging from the vibrant Leeds music scene, Kaiser Chiefs developed a sound that combined the angular guitar work of post-punk with the melodic immediacy of classic British pop and the restless energy of contemporary indie rock. Led by charismatic frontman Ricky Wilson, alongside Andrew White, Simon Rix, Nick Baines and Nick Hodgson, the band quickly established a reputation for exuberant performances and memorable, chant-along songs.

Produced by Stephen Street and Stephen Harris, Employment draws on a broad range of British musical influences, from the directness of punk and new wave to the melodic songwriting traditions of groups such as The Kinks, Blur and The Jam. Its sound is energetic, witty and deliberately unpretentious, built around punchy guitar arrangements, prominent keyboards, lively basslines and Wilson's unmistakable vocal delivery.

The album opens with 'Everyday I Love You Less And Less', an explosive introduction driven by an insistent keyboard riff and a brilliantly sarcastic vocal performance. 'I Predict A Riot' became the band's signature anthem, capturing the chaos and excitement of a night out in the city through its infectious chorus and frantic guitar-driven arrangement. 'Modern Way' provides a more reflective contrast, while 'Na Na Na Na Naa' delivers another irresistible burst of melodic indie rock.

Elsewhere, 'You Can Have It All' demonstrates the band's more melodic and romantic side, while 'Oh My God' combines sharp observations with one of the album's most memorable hooks. 'Born To Be A Dancer' and 'Saturday Night' maintain the record's energetic momentum, before 'What Did I Ever Give You?', 'Time Honoured Tradition' and 'Caroline, Yes' round off a consistently entertaining collection.

Employment became a major commercial and critical success, reaching number two on the UK Albums Chart and earning the band the Brit Award for British Album of the Year in 2006. It also received a nomination for the Mercury Prize, cementing the Kaiser Chiefs' position among the leading British guitar bands of their generation.

A landmark of the 2000s British indie rock revival, Employment remains an essential album for fans of energetic guitar music, post-punk-influenced indie and the great tradition of witty, melodic British songwriting. Packed with instantly recognisable singles and strong album tracks, it is a hugely enjoyable debut that captures a particularly exciting moment in British music.

Tracklist

1. Everyday I Love You Less And Less (3:37)

2. I Predict A Riot (3:53)

3. Modern Way (4:03)

4. Na Na Na Na Naa (3:00)

5. You Can Have It All (4:35)

6. Oh My God (3:34)

7. Born To Be A Dancer (3:30)

8. Saturday Night (3:26)

9. What Did I Ever Give You? (4:09)

10. Time Honoured Tradition (2:45)

11. Caroline, Yes (4:10)