Rip Off Your Labels (More Angular Product) - Various Artists

Advantages: There is no imitation here
Disadvantages: The occasional lyric is 'odd'

...Kaiser Chiefs: Nick Hodgson (vocals, drums); Ricky Wilson (vocals); Andrew White (guitar); Peanut (keyboards); Simon Rix (bass guitar). Recording information: Olympic Studios, London, England; Town House Studios, London, England. Emerging in an era rife with New Wave rip-off artists, the Kaiser Chiefs ran the risk of their sharp suits, angular haircuts, and early-1980s influences being taken the wrong way. While many of their peers shamelessly aped the most obvious aspects of the Cure, New Order, et al, Kaiser Chiefs much more subtly incorporated the sensibilities of their influences. Though one can hear traces of everything from Madness to XTC and Adam & the Ants on the Chiefs 2005 debut album, EMPLOYMENT, these Brits are no one's slavish imitators. Their undeniably catchy melodies, sarcastically witty lyrics, and often... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: 2 discs of great tunes
Disadvantages: repition of songs.

...This is a great compilation album from the australian based electronic label which has bought us artists such as cut copy. 2 discs give you a mixed and unmixed selection of songs (some repitition on the same discs) the mixed disc is a well composed mix ideal for pre club drinking or in the car. the unmixed disc gives the listener chance to listen to the songs in their entirity. people may recognise some artists such as bloc party as their tracks feature with remixed and edited versions, but more importantly it gives the listener a chance to discover new artists. the album comprises of a mix of indie with a dance feel, and electro based dance-pop. if that sounds like your thing, go for this.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Contains some rare gems
Disadvantages: Some songs are just plain scary!

...wizardry of Kieran Hebden (aka Four Tet); and suited to the young ‘uns, thanks to cute but stylishly glacial vocals from the appropriately named Princess Watermelon. Adults will appreciate the Power Rangers associations. Soon after, Franz Ferdinand come up trumps with a delightfully catchy song about the perils of eating too many “tasty cakes”, where Kapranos uses his theatrical voice to great effect. Perhaps a career in children’s entertainment awaits the band if their angular art-rock vocation goes wrong? It begins like A Menina Minha and morphs into the best song ever for dancing/bouncing around frenetically at a birthday party, off your head on E numbers and sugar. Although the parents may end up being the ones fighting over who really won the eighteenth game of Musical Chairs. Snow Patrol perform possibly the best song of their career... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful