'I've Got the Tunes'- Music album reviews, this week Kaiser Chiefs, 'Off With Their Heads' and Sugababes, 'Spotlights and Catfights' at ChrisOnline.biz

Text Box: Releases for week of 20/10/08 In what was a hotly-contested week for my reviewing affection, with the likes of AC/DC and Leon Jackson fluttering their eyelids– two bands emerge from the debris...

Text Box: Change the Record, lads...Cha Ask an older music fan what modern melody makers they like the sound of and there seems to be a common denominator. Ardent terrace anthem- composers, Kaiser Chiefs are back with the third album and what can really be said of the band, who claims to be better than Oasis... well... The Kaisers have certainly pulled all the stops out for this one- in comes “super-producer” Mark Ronson, guest vocals from Sway and Lily Allen and even James Bond composer, David Arnold. The album begins in a dark fashion with opening track ‘Spanish Metal’ which hints at an almost medieval theme- we’re assuming this is where Arnold comes in. This is of course really a launch pad for catchy first single ‘Never Miss a Beat’, which is more like ‘Everyday I Love You Less and Less’ with the lyrics: ‘Take a look at the kids on the street/they never miss a beat.’ Well if they think they’re appealing to such a demographic- they are widely mistaken. It features a strong synthesizer and everything classic Kaiser Chief numbers do have- silly lyrics, guitar build-ups- all your favourites are here. ‘You Want History’ continues on this path and probably counts as the most experimental track, which should convey exactly how expected the content of this record is. Sounding more like the Human League, the retro synthesizer actually takes over at one point, until the Kaisers do the musical equivalent of plucking up the courage to walk down a dark alley, before figuring it wasn’t such a bright idea and come screaming back. Yes, in comes the “oh, oh, oh!” and you wonder just why they even bothered trying something different in the first instance. ‘Can’t Say What I Mean’ is more trademark stuff with the occasional big word thrown in amongst break-neck speed lyrical delivery. Still it’s one of the more listenable efforts but again- just what you expected to hear. Sadly nonsensical lyrics don’t always make for a good tune as ‘Good Days Bad Days’ testifies, I’m not going to quote them here, but think infant playground taunts and you’re nearly there. It’s just such a basic effort, maybe instead of trying to churn out an album so quick, more time should have been spent on composition. The album descends into farce when the likes of ‘Addicted to Drugs’ comes along with Ricky Wilson instead of Robert Palmer on the delivery, and guess which one works better. ‘Tomato in the Rain’ advertises Wilson’s powers of curing insomnia, being instantly forgettable to boot. Then we have Sway’s appearance on ‘Half the Truth’, is there any need for it other than to make the Kaisers look cool? Er... no. In summary, there are maybe four tracks at a stretch which are worth hearing but that does not disguise what is fundamentally a poor album. I had hoped for more but the Chiefs just seem to be running out of steam to please the angry mob. 5/10 CM

$Text Box: \ Ready to Pop! When it comes to UK girlbands there have been many pretenders to their thrones. Eight years later and there are still three standing, albeit not the original script, but Sugababes are still producing more hits than Girls Aloud and selling more units than Will Young. A real band, not formed by pop talent shows is rare these days, yet the Babes are still more than holding their own with sixth studio album, ‘Catfights and Spotlights’. Opener ‘Girls’ is packed with big band production, 60s swing and of course strong lyrical delivery and harmonizing. Catchy, emotive and just a brilliant pop song, it features all the trademark modern girl-power the Babes have made their own. If that was good, the dial is turned up as high as any of previous hits like ‘Too Lost in You’ or ‘Red Dress’ for second ‘You on a Good Day’. Founder member Keisha and also co song-writer takes the lyrical lead and deservedly so. An instant hit without question, and just another example of the extreme pop talent these girls possess, even managing to throw in some ‘Independent Women’ style- sweet female attitude. ‘No Can Do’ is interesting as at probably sounds more like Girls Aloud than Sugababes with modern hooks and overpowering vocals. It’s easy to see why this was released ahead of more signature sounds, but the girls shouldn’t feel they need to do that to be accepted- they are popular for their style and theirs alone. ‘Side Chick’ is testament to why this album is described as being more funky-sounding. It’s a definite slide in direction and features an endearing piano beat over the chorus which works well. ‘Unbreakable Heart’ brings the trio back to their strong ballad roots and it works well- connecting with powerful delivery and an infectious backbeat. ‘Sunday Rain’ on the other end of the ballad scale is what you would expect from such a title- downtrodden lyrics and heartfelt choruses which unsurprisingly work just as well. However ‘Every Heart Broken’ for me is a ballad one too many, especially sandwiched between two better ones. I’m sure it will have its teenage fans but as far as song-writing goes, “I chose Chanel over chastity” doesn’t go quite as smoothly. ‘Beware’ sounds more like a feeble attempt at a gangsta rap beat and I sincerely hope that the lyrics aren’t meant to sound threatening. ‘Nothing’s as Good as You’ sadly follows down the route of severe underachievement as the album doesn’t end half as strong as it began. This is a collection for pop fans and Sugababes stay true to their heritage though embracing a few outside influences. Still as relevant today as ever, it will be interesting to see whether future collaborations with bigger producers will take them down in a different direction. For now a very decent album is on the shelves waiting to fly off them. 7/10 CM$

Released– 20/10/08

Label– Island

6th Studio Album