Off With Their Heads plays like a really good gig. Kaiser Chiefs know how to get a crowd moving and get heads thumping. Ricky Wilson’s vocals-from-the-throat, with the slight gravel, a bit coarse and unrefined, are just right.

“Can’t Say What I Mean”, “Never Miss A Beat”, and “Spanish Metal” are solid. Throwing back to the old gritty days, tracks like these prove that punk is still an inspiring force, just under the surface. New Wave and pop break through in several songs, particularly in “You Want History” and “Like It Too Much”, which still fit well into the playlist while being a bit more complex and ambitious than the rest of the tracks. “Addicted to Drugs” is a fun and twisted homage to the famous Robert Palmer song. It’s nice to see that some artists still have a sense of humour about things.

The final song, “Remember You’re A Girl” is surprisingly soft, melodic, and sweet; it seems the band channelled a bit of ‘flower power’. Although a nice song, it seems tacked on to the end rather than a part of the natural collective. Wilson himself seems to have transformed into someone else for this song.

Off With Their Heads is a fun and lively record. Kaiser Chiefs have created the kind of songs you can enjoy without having to think much, just groove. Given the quality of the bonus tracks, which were recorded during their Elland Road performance, Kaiser Chiefs is kind of band that you should hear live and up close. They just seem to have a great time, and the crowds concur.

Listen closely for a variety of guest backing vocalists and musicians; Lily Allen, members of New Young Pony Club, Marc Ronson (who produced the album), and Sway DeSafo are notable on the list.



Track Listing:

Spanish Metal
Never Miss A Beat
Like It Too Much
You Want History
Can’t Say What I Mean
Good Days Bad Days
Tomato In The Rain
Half The Truth
Always Happens Like That
Addicted To Drugs
Remember You’re A Girl
[Bonus – Elland Road Live] Can’t Say What I Mean
[Bonus – Elland Road Live] Never Miss A Beat
[Bonus – Elland Road Live] You Want History
[Bonus – Elland Road Live] Half The Truth