Mixed Mob

Judging by the reviews of Kaiser Chiefs' sophomore album, Yours Truly, Angry Mob, it appears that someone from on high has declared a backlash against the neo-Britpop band -- the standard punishment for an indie/mainstream-straddling group with a hit debut (in Britain, anyway). A "5.0" from Pitchfork, one candle (or whatever their grading doohickee is) from Playlouder, an "F" from Stylus. Well, I guess I didn't get the secret backlash committee's memo. Yours Truly isn't perfect, and it's not quite as good as 2005's Employment, but it still holds some solid tunes. \nSpecifically, the album is front-loaded with great, high-energy sing-alongs. "Ruby," with its wistful vocals, synth/guitar interplay and exploding choruses, is what The Killers' Sam's Town could have been if they hadn't decided to become "serious artistes." "The Angry Mob," despite its muddy message about mob violence and media manipulation, employs dagger-sharp hooks and stomping choruses. Likewise with "Heat Dies Down," a breakup song that is also blessed with charmingly witty, bitter lyrics. And "High Royds," a fiery, galloping tune about returning home (and realizing how little you missed it), is a rare song about the rock star life that doesn't make you hate the writer.\nHowever, things weaken, starting with "Love Is Not A Competition (But I'm Winning)" -- a ballad with a better concept (its titular contradiction) than execution. Then, with "Thank You Very Much," "I Can Do Without You" and "My Kind Of Guy," the Kaisers churn out three back-to-back tracks with both morosely cynical lyrics and somewhat uniform composition (all are built around similar bouncy guitar riffs) -- thereby sucking some enjoyment out of the album's middle. The simple, boppy "Everything Is Average Nowadays" almost manages a late-album save -- but it's followed by the throwaway track "Boxing Champ." And after "Learnt My Lesson Well" a nice drum-heavy piece, things go out with a whimper -- the dull plodder "Try Your Best" and "Retirement," in sound and cynicism, almost a reprise of the earlier three-song fun-vacuum. \nBut, there's several worthwhile tracks here -- so, check 'em out, particularly if you liked Employment.