Employment (album) explained

Employment
Type:studio
Artist:Kaiser Chiefs
Cover:Employment kaiser chiefs.jpg
Released:7 March 2005
Recorded:Summer–December 2004
Studio:Chapel Studios, Lincoln
Genre:Alternative rock,[1] [2] indie rock,[3] [4] post-punk revival[5]
Length:44:06 (40:42 without bonus track)
Label:B-Unique
Producer:Stephen Street, Stephen Harris
Prev Title:22
Prev Year:2003
Next Title:Yours Truly, Angry Mob
Next Year:2007

Employment is the debut studio album by English indie rock[6] band Kaiser Chiefs, released in March 2005 on B-Unique Records. Employment takes its inspirations from the Britpop and new wave movements, 1970s-era punk rock and Beach Boys-esque West Coast music.

The album originally charted at number three in the UK Albums Chart on 13 March 2005, but charted at number two almost a year after its release, due to the band's success at the Brit Awards. Employment went on to become the fourth best-selling album in the United Kingdom that year.

Background

It was Kaiser Chiefs themselves that chose to work with producer Stephen Street. According to Street he had been introduced to Nick Hodgson after an Ordinary Boys gig in which Kaiser Chiefs were the support act. Hodgson gave Street a demo CD and said that they would love to work with him.[7] The band's new label B-Unique suggested they try a test session with Street. In mid-August 2004 they visited the producer at a basement studio space at Olympic Studios he was renting with engineer Cenzo Townsend and recorded "I Predict a Riot".[7]

According to manager James Sandom in an interview with HitQuarters, the album was recorded in a rush because the band were under very tight time constraints and touring at the time. As a result, they did not have enough time to get to know Stephen Street and relax in his company.[8] The motorbike that appears at the beginning of "Saturday Night" is owned and 'played' by Graham Coxon. The sleeve notes read "Graham Coxon's motorbike, (1935 Kaiser 'Chief' 750cc Manx TT Works Racer) appears courtesy of Transcopic Records". "Caroline, Yes" is named in reference to The Beach Boys' song "Caroline, No". The track's original working title was called "Hail to the Chief", according to Kaiser Chiefs' book A Record of Employment.

A DVD titled Enjoyment, featuring music videos and live performances of the album's songs, was also released.

Reception

On Metacritic the album has a weighted average score of 78% based on reviews from 27 critics, indicating "Generally favorable reviews".[9]

Personnel

Kaiser Chiefs

Technical personnel

Charts and certifications

Year-end charts

Chart YearPosition
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[17] 200575
UK Albums (OCC)[18] 20054
UK Albums (OCC)[19] 200632
UK Albums (OCC)[20] 2007147
UK Albums (OCC)[21] 2008191

Certifications

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Apple Music: Employment. . Apple Music. Apple. April 18, 2021. [...]England’s Kaiser Chiefs had made an imprint on the alt-pop scenes on both sides of the Atlantic.
  2. Web site: Employment . Sutton . Michael . 2008 . AlbumLinerNotes. 18 April 2021. [...]Kaiser Chiefs[...]crash-landed on some of the biggest U.S. alternative stations with the "I Predict a Riot" import single in late 2004..
  3. Web site: Peters . Charlie . 26 March 2020 . 'Employment' at 15: Kaiser Chiefs' British charm only increases with age. The Boar . University of Warwick, Coventry, England. 18 April 2021.
  4. Web site: Kaiser Chiefs - Employment. Foley. Jack. Indie London . 18 April 2021.
  5. Web site: The 10 Best Post-Punk Revival Albums To Own On Vinyl. Campbell. Erica. 27 March 2017. Vinyl Me Please. Offbeat Ventures, LLC. 18 April 2021.
  6. Web site: BBC - Seven Ages of Rock "What the World Is Waiting For". 2007. Seven Ages of Rock. 5 March 2011.
  7. Web site: Interview with Stephen Street . HitQuarters. 27 September 2005 . 17 November 2010.
  8. Web site: Interview with James Sandom . HitQuarters. 28 May 2007 . 17 November 2010.
  9. Web site: Reviews for Employment by Kaiser Chiefs . . 2 March 2024 .
  10. 24 March 2005 . Sheffield . Rob . Rob Sheffield . Kaiser Chiefs: Employment . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080129133200/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/kaiserchiefs/albums/album/7087457/review/7070365/employment . 29 January 2008 . 2 March 2024 .
  11. 4 April 2005 . Gunatilaka . Timothy . EW reviews two British bands . . 27 June 2023 .
  12. Web site: LAUNCH, Music on Yahoo! - Kaiser Chiefs - Employment . . https://web.archive.org/web/20050317125115/http://uk.launch.yahoo.com/050316/33/1xjsq.html . 2005-03-17 . March 16, 2005 . dead.
  13. Web site: Phares . Heather . Employment – Kaiser Chiefs . . 27 July 2019 .
  14. Web site: 15 March 2005 . Tangari . Joe . Kaiser Chiefs: Employment . . 27 June 2016 .
  15. News: 10 April 2005 . Hochman . Steve . After a false start, the Chiefs ring true . . 27 June 2023 .
  16. 150.
  17. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2005. Ultratop. 6 March 2021.
  18. Web site: Christie Scores Top Selling Uk Single of 2005. 3 January 2006. contactmusic.com. 4 April 2017.
  19. Web site: End of Year Album Chart Top 100 - 2006. Official Charts Company. 4 April 2017.
  20. Web site: UK Year-End Charts 2007. Official Charts Company. ChartsPlus. 19 May 2021.
  21. Web site: 2008 Year-End UK Charts. ChartPlus. 19 May 2021.