Kaiser Chiefs hail from Leeds but named themselves after a soccer team in South Africa. After a commercially under-the-radar but critically acclaimed debut single last Spring, Kaiser Chiefs became a hot commodity, leading to the UK breakout single "I Predict a Riot" last Fall.

"Employment" (12 tracks, 44 min.) starts off with a British humor-bursting "Everyday I Love You Less and Less", with the music just as irreverent and fun. "I Predict a Riot" is the monster track on this album, insanely catchy (similar in spirit to Franz Ferdinand's "Take Me Out" on its debut album). I'm just afraid that eventually this will cross play onto US mainstream radio and it'll get played to death (again, see "Take Me Out"). The first half of the album is near perfect: "Modern Way", "Na Na Na Na Naa" and "Oh My God" are all irresitable (the latter being that obscure debut single, but it's being re-released in the UK). The second half is not as strong, but still quite strong, in particular "Saturday Night", the lite-reggae "What Did I Ever Give You", and the 60s-Kinks sounding "Time Honoured Tradition".

It's not like the Kaiser Chiefs have come up with a new or unique sound, but "Employment" is a fun album with lots of catchy songs, very much like Franz Ferdinand did a year ago. The UK music scene is brimming with good new bands (the Futureheads, Kasabian, Bloc Party, etc.) and Kaiser Chiefs stand proudly at the head of that group. Highly recommended!

I was first introduced to the Kaiser Chiefs through the recommendation of some people overseas, though I was reluctant to bother. I fell in love the moment I heard I Predict a Riot, Wrecking Ball and Take my Temperature. For weeks I anticipated their album hitting the shelves, and I was not left disappointed. Listening to Employment leaves a smile on your face from start to finish, and as opposed to sticking to the same sounding songs, the men of this group go out of their way to make everything unique while still staying true to themselves. You will not be dissappointed by a single track and I guarantee you'll soon wear out your copy of the CD.

Everything's unique about The Kaiser Chiefs. From their carefree pump-fisting social commentary of I Predict A Riot to the brooding self-flagellation of What Did I Ever Give You?, you can't help but enjoy Employment. Are they like the Zutons, Killers, or Franz Ferdinand? A little of all three, I suppose.

I just saw them live on the day of the CD release(3/15) here in Atlanta and, suffice it to say, Ricky Nelson just plain brought it on lead vocals as did the rest of the band mates - especially with the incredibly ebullient encore of Oh My God. If given the opportunity, check them out live. This week's Rolling Stone lists them as one of 10 Artists to Watch. And for good reason. Good stuff. Enjoy.

This is the best rock album I've heard in a couple of years. I'm jaded, 41 and can remember the days of seeing triple bills of Minutemen, Meatpuppets and Husker Du. This album is the jolt I needed to make me think that rock has a future. It rocks. It's got catchy melodies. It ain't wussy. I want all my friends to hear it.

Sorry but despite all the hype which usually ruins the experience for me, I find the Kaiser Chiefs debut album to be one of the most enjoyable cd's I've heard in quite some time. What's not to like? Britpop meets garage with big guitars, huge sing along choruses, cheeky, and clever but not too serious lyrics, and that peculiar '80's synth sound. Mix it all together with great melodies, vocal harmonies (courtesy of drummer Nick Hodgson) and Kinks-like song structure twists and you've got one of the most fun and unabashedly joyful recordings of the past several years. I don't care if they're not reinventing the wheel, they're simply too much fun to worry about such things.

Here's the proof of the pudding: while driving back from Florida to DC at 12 am I was listening to Funeral by Arcade Fire, whom I like very much but they're not energetic enough when you're starting to nod out on the highway. So I put Employment in my cd player and the next thing I knew I was singing along and pounding on my steering wheel, wide awake. They give me the same feeling as The Specials, Buzzcocks and early Blur did. 'Nuff said.