Important British Indie Canon: Kaiser Chiefs – ‘Employment’ (20 Year Anniversary)

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On 7 March 2005, Leeds band Kaiser Chiefs debuted with their first album, ‘Employment‘ under B-Unique Records. It was based on a sound that incorporated the likes of Britpop, electronica, and punk rock. It charted at number two in the UK album charts. The album received a critical reception at the time and instantly found its place in music. Twenty years on, this record is still a great listen. It gives audiences an earlier example of a sound that would become synonymous with a generation of British music.

Everyday I Love You Less And Less

This opening track is an anthem dedicated to falling out of love. Instantly the electronic influences of the record are heard through the opening synthesiser provided by Nick Baines. This single opposes the standard of love songs and ballads. It’s bitter with a harsh tone in the vocals supplied by frontman Ricky Wilson. As well as being a strong and catchy opening for the debut, it’s able to encapsulate many of the common themes the band master throughout the record. One example of this is the build-up of screams on the bridge which are accompanied by quick guitar chords.

‘Everyday I Love You Less and Less‘ also introduces listeners to the signature way that the band can discuss British life in their lyrics and music videos. These references are often clever and witty, such as the line about John Smeaton, a Leeds lighthouse designer, in ‘I Predict A Riot‘. Without a doubt, this group takes their inspiration from their Britpop predecessors. One band is Blur, who provide a similar effect with tracks such as ‘Parklife‘. The guitarist even features on the track ‘Saturday Night‘ – or at least his motorbike does.

I Predict A Riot

Debatably the most well-recognised track on the record is one that’s still considered a fan favourite today. The band released it as the second single for the album. Consequently, the indie music scene has always loved and played it. With high energy and lyrics that are sure to stir some sort of reaction out of any British crowd, the song has become an anthem. The guitar riff provided by Andrew White has become instantly recognisable across the nation.

The lyricism is dystopian, whilst the song remains upbeat. However, the band weaves an element of fear into the musicianship. A great way they achieve this is the way they build harmonies to ramp up to the chorus. This track is also another to feature the iconic screaming the group perfect in many tracks.

Oh My God

‘Oh My God‘ is a fantastic example of the lyricism for which Kaiser Chiefs are known. They delve into themes of society and provide interesting narratives. The band initially released the track as the record’s first single in 2004, and it helped to form fans’ initial impressions. It’s a strong track for bassist Simon Rix who stands out instantly by playing solely against the keyboard. Yet as the instruments build into the track, the bass is still a pivotal part of the record.

As well as the original, this track garnered further success after a cover by Mark Ronson and Lily Allen that was used in the 2007 movie ‘St. Trinian’s‘. This cover became a version that plays on big band and funk sound, shifting the tone. This demonstrates the solid foundations the record has through its musical craftsmanship. This record has stayed timeless through its careful integration into a specific culture. The band weaves careful references into each song, helping solidify the presence of the record in British music. The eleventh song ‘Caroline, Yes‘ is a clear example of this through its outrightnod to The Beach Boys’ song ‘Caroline, No‘ from the iconic album ‘Pet Sounds‘.

Twenty years after its release, ‘Employment‘ is still considered a classic record amongst its British indie counterparts. It’s a strong album overall which is consistent in its sound and energy. Whilst some songs are more memorable than others, this is a record that can capture the atmosphere and music of its decade and create something timeless. The group also plans to play a set of gigs and festivals to celebrate the anniversary of their debut album soon. Tickets are still available on the Kaiser Chief’s website.

Kaiser Chiefs are on TikTok, Instagram, Threads, and X. You can stream the album below and read more anniversary pieces here.

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