Awesome Albums – Duck by Kaiser Chiefs

Kaiser Chiefs are an English rock band formed in Leeds. Originally, performing as Parva in 2000, they changed their name in 2003. Often credited as having an indie rock, new wave, power pop and post-punk revival sound; the Kaiser Chiefs are both incredibly popular and distinctive in the music scene. The band consists of lead vocalist Ricky Wilson, guitarist Andrew “Whitey” White, keyboardist Nick “Peanut” Baines, bassist Simon Rix and on drums Vijay Mistry. Formally, Nick Hodgson was the band’s drummer but he left in 2012. With seven studio albums, each with a distinct sound and vibe; it was difficult choosing which of the Kaiser Chiefs’ awesome albums to cover but in the end I settled on their most recent, Duck.

Duck

Released in July 2019, this is an album that goes against the flow of current times in how transparently joyful the sound is. I have to believe that all involved had an absolute blast recording this.

Much like with Queen or Green Day, choosing what album to visit was incredibly difficult. The Chiefs are a band that can do provocative and powerful and Duck is an album that does this but is also happy in its delivery. So, is fun to listen to and sure to prompt a little swing of the hips or sing-along with every song.

People Know How to Love One Another

People keep on saying the songs that they’ve been playing will never ever change the world
There’s boots on the ground and every single sound is like a bomb that will never explode
And if you try to fix this, I can only witness everything that I’ve ever known
Every time you hear this obvious idea then we’re all getting out of it
Come on, come on

People know how to love one another

Expertly crafted for live performances, this song is one you can’t help but join along with.

It’s loud and for lack of a better term, an anthem. This isn’t surprising when you factor in that it is the KC’s answer to political ideologies and attitudes of major events like Brexit.

This is a track that simultaneously points out issues whilst delivering a reassuring message and tone.

Golden Oldies

The upbeat tone continues with Golden Oldies; a track where the vocal delivery seems oddly aligned with the Pina Colada Song of all things which makes for an interesting sound. This is actually one of my favourite tracks on the album.

Wait

Laughin’ all the time, singin’ as they go
Lookin’ like an ad, drinkin’ Diet Coke
Everybody dance, come on over, let’s breakdown tonight
Making up the lies, keeping up the show
Checkin’ out the boys, wearin’ summer clothes
Get it while you can
If you wanna, let’s breakdown tonight
I’ll just wait

This fast paced, body mover with a jazzy inspiration shares a world of objectification, vanity and personal marketing. The intensity of the tempo only stresses the overwhelming nature of this message.

Target Market

Almost jarringly, the all-out pace is replaced by a slower number. This song feels kind of sweet at first but begins to feel more cynical (rightly so) as it kicks in and you have time to think about the marketing analogue being used.

That isn’t a criticism; it’s an excellently put together track and only serves to highlight the theming of the album.

Don’t Just stand There, Do Something

A 24-hour garage
And it’s in my hand
And this telephone is average
But it’s worth a grand
A gang of youths
Start throwing abuse
Your money or your Nikes, do I have to choose?
All pride lost, still in my socks

One of the strengths of Duck is how it weaves so many little narratives whilst commentating on the state of society. The tunes are catchy and Wilson always delivers a tight vocal performance that fans will want to re-enact. Don’t Just Stand There is yet another example of this. The song is a total earworm but keeps that cultural analysis in place with strong musical foundations.

Record Collection

Sit back and relapse into the world we built for you
Where everything you’ll need is on its way now
Make yourself at home, my extraordinary friend
Where everything is okay in the end

Record Collection has a strong blend of Vijay’s beat, Simon’s bass, Peanut’s execution of the keyboard and Ricky’s vocal navigation. Arguably, this is one of the Kaiser Chiefs most masterful tracks on Duck; technically speaking.

This song is a dance-worthy hit proclaiming the confusing mess of the digital age and how we have no clue where the internet is taking us and why but continue on the journey regardless.

The Only Ones

We’re the soldiers of the night
And we’re fighting for the light
So we’ll stay here our whole lives

A more traditional sounding rock track but that’s not something to be held against it; the track is expertly executed as always and whilst not my favourite on Duck, I could easily see how it would be someone’s.

Lucky Shirt

So never dream that the party’s over
I never know how to play my hand
Forever knows how the dice would roll
Or how they’ll land
My lucky shirt with the four-leaf clover
It doesn’t go in or out of style
But I was waiting for the moment
That you’d smile, oh-oh-oh

At this point in the album, it feels like the Kaiser Chiefs begin to lean on more of an older sound whilst still emphasising the humanity they’ve been telling us of all through Duck. The song is the start of an upbeat tone that closes the album.

Electric Heart

In a second skin (second skin)
Of oil and tin (oil and tin)
Everybody smiles

One of my favourite tricks that the Chief’s do is deliver excellent positive tunes with lyrics or narratives that are less so (or at the least critical of our cultural attitudes).

This is a trick pulled off with total finesse and a fine touch in this album; Electric Heart is no exception.

 Northern Holiday

Almost always travellin’
My jumper’s been unravellin’
I snagged it on the doorpost as I left
No worth in seeing the world alone
Or following the threads back home
Apologising in my pants and vest

Continuing that more retro sound and enjoyable melody, Northern Holiday is an absolute delight to sing along to.

Kurt vs. Frasier (The Battle for Seattle)

What do you think?
How do you know
When it is real
And when it’s a show?

The closing track kicks off with a strong beat and a question. The catchy beat and references to Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain and TV’s Frasier Crane make this an awesome closer that, given the album’s theming, feels like KC are calling back to a time when society was somehow simpler and less muddled by technology and social media.

Final Thoughts

The reason why Duck is such an awesome album for me is that it manages to be thoughtful and happy whilst traditional sounding and experimental at the same time. It tells us that society is in an awkward transitional phase but that human element is still there and should be celebrated. However, for those who just want to dance and below powerful words; well the Kaiser Chiefs’ have you covered and always will (a form of human unity in itself).