Those who found the Kaiser Chiefs debut Employment, from 2005, annoying or too uppity - the two most common complaints - should give their follow-up a listen. Admittedly, the first album had some crackers, like the heady I Predict A Riot (what is it with their preoccupation withvolatile situations?) and Everyday I Love You Less and Less, but ultimately they were a band with obnoxious and unchanelled energy.
On Yours Truly, Angry Mob they've settled down and made the songs smooth and solid, all without losing their vim and vigour. So yes, you can still pogo to the chorus of tasty first single, Ruby, the jaunty jam of Learnt My Lesson Well (with the great line, "I don't mean to be a dick"), and Everything Is Average Nowdays, which is a nice little nod to the Buzzcocks.
The more tranquil moments of Try Your Best, and the smartass ballad Love's Not a Competition (But I'm Winning) are simply beautiful.
There's nothing here that will incite a riot, although Highroyds - with great falsetto "woos" - comes close. Yours Truly is a collection of great tunes that are more likely to please an angry mob than piss them off.
Label: B-Unique/Polydor
Verdict: How to please an angry mob with a sophomore album
