Look, they both start with K, alright? These reviews are, generally speaking, pretty much what went to print this week in Forte Magazine, with a few additions here-and-there.

KAISER CHIEFS
Off With Their Heads
(LIBERATOR) A-

Last years sophomore Kaiser Chiefs effort Yours Truly, Angry Mob, although complete with some killer tracks, didn’t resonate with me as fiercely as their 2005 debut Employment. There was a level of excitement missing from the last record that I was worried they’d find hard to re-encapsulate. Enter 2008’s Off With Their Heads, produced by Mark Ronson and Eliot James, which is a wickedly delicious collection of songs that not only see the band return to their original fine form; these songs may even trump that original spark.

The viciously ace lead single “Never Miss A Beat” comes complete with an endearingly shouty chorus and church-like organs (if you get a chance, hunt down the Cut Copy remix which is just as good as the original), whilst the actual record opener “Spanish Meal” is a Lennon-esque exercise into dramatic overtones and slappy bass hooks. “Always Happens Like That” sees the band welcome Lily Allen on backing vocals for what is probably the records best moment, whilst “You Want History” and “Good Days Bad Days” bring forth a strong element of Split Enz-styled synths which, quite rightfully, seem to be rather popular with musicians of late. No complaints here! “Remember You’re A Girl” closes the long player in a breezy, slightly electronic homage to Beatles numbers of yesteryear, whilst managing to pull off that swishy ballad sound Cut Copy pulled off so well on a number of tracks on their In Ghost Colours album this year.

There’s no denying that Off With Their Heads is a prime example of a rock and roll band who are finely in tune with their pop sensibilities. Cleverly produced and executed pop songs with that dirty grunt the indie types have come to expect from the Leeds five piece. Solid bloody work if you ask me.

Trixie at Karinski.net has an ace review up on her place about the web if you’re keen for some further reading.

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KEANE
Perfect Symmetry
(UMA) B+

Keane’s third album does exactly what their second, the pretentiously boring Under The Iron Sea, should have done. It demonstrates that the talented three-piece are able to combine their nifty songwriting skills with a truly breathtaking blend of production. The bands debut effort, Hopes and Fears, brought them to the forefront of music lovers attention across the globe for its sharp choruses, catchy hooks and piano-driven melodies. Perfect Symmetry is the third album that should have been their second; really solid songs with euphoric build-up’s and killer choruses, all of which was lacking from that last release.

Listening to the record, you wouldn’t be surprised to find out that Stuart Price has lent his production knowledge to a number of these tracks, including first single “Lovers Are Losing” and, more obviously on “Again and Again.” “Better Than This” is like a twisted, exciting tribute to David Bowie’s “Ashes To Ashes”, complete with a somewhat reassuring and optimistic chorus. In fact; is that… happiness I can hear in Tom Chaplin’s voice at times? Don’t let that deceivingly joyous tone fool you kiddies.

“You Haven’t Told Me Anything” is a surprisingly glossy ode to the 80’s synth movement (the last thing I expected from Keane), whilst the records title track “Perfect Symmetry” is the closest you get to the bands 2005 debut; a track driven strongly by a piano and a powerful chorus. “Playing Along” is Keane as Queen (the results in the last 2 minutes are electrifying), however album closer “Love Is The End” feels a little bit lifeless in comparison to what the rest of the long player has to offer. But Christ on a bike; this is a really, really strong record, and a promising step forward for a band who were starting to sound stuck in a musical rut for a while there.

Paul’s written up a bonza review of the record over at HisFizzyPop.