Brit-rockers The Kaiser Chiefs have released a brand new song off their upcoming album EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDUCATION & WAR. The album, which will be the bands fifth, marks the first since drummer/lead-songwriter Nick Hodgson quit the band in 2012. The new song, titled “Misery Company,” is pretty good and raises hopes that the band will pull themselves out of their death-spiral-of-mediocrity.
I loved the first two Kaiser Chief albums and had high hopes for the boys from Leeds. The band combined the best parts of 90’s Brit-pop with punk and a danceable beat. But public and critical reaction to the band’s second album YOURS TRULY, ANGRY MOB was the beginning of a decline for the band. Their third album, OFF WITH THEIR HEADS was the last one I sought out and listened to. I haven’t been able to get the courage up to listen to their fourth album, THE FUTURE IS MEDIEVAL. The law of diminishing returns now haunts the band.
“Misery Company” is pretty good. It has the hallmarks of classic Kaiser Chiefs with it’s chugging beat and droning guitars. The keyboards and maniacal laughing are nice touches, too. I do wish the song had more memorable/catchy lyrics and was a little more aggressive. The song’s good, but feels more like a second or third string single. Had the band been on a tremendous roll, I’d say they were just holding back the good stuff–but at this point I think “Misery Company” probably is the good stuff.
I guess it’s true what they once said: Everything is average nowadays.
EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDUCATION & WAR comes out on March 31, 2014.
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