Kaiser Chiefs

When your debut is lauded and then you deliver a follow-up that’s actually better, it’s some feat. Kaiser Chiefs have done just that. It seems they have made some kind of deal with the hook devil, because Yours Truly is dripping with them. From the album’s poppy heavy-metal opener “Ruby” (think a credible “Cherry Pie”) through the marching chants of “The Angry Mob,” the Kaisers are off to a fantastic start. Even when the tone goes down a note or two on “Love’s Not a Competition (But I’m Winning)”and “I Can Do It Without You,” that infectiousness is still present. The teeth-grinding nature of “Thank You Very Much” kicks up the mood again. It’s an admirable return. All hail the Kaisers.