Kaiser Chiefs - Off With Their Heads

The five lads from Leeds return with their third album. They continue to combine Britrock, mod, pop, post-punk, new-wave, and rockandroll influences into their music. While the songs aren't as immediately catchy as the ones on their first album, Employment (see: "I Predict A Riot"), they display a more muscular sound that even incorporates different instruments, such as djembe and agogo bells, on a few tracks. They sound more mature while not forgetting that it was the energy and youthful exuberance on their first album that made them so much fun. I am very pleased with this album on first listen and think that it will only get more enjoyable with repeated plays.

www.myspace.com/kaiserchiefs
www.kaiserchiefs.co.uk

The Republic Tigers - Keep Color

They're from Kansas City, Missouri and their lead singer, Kenn Jankowski, used to front The Golden Republic. This is their debut. It's midtempo melodic pop/rock, definitely has Britpop influences. It's pleasant; not the most profound album by any means, but nice to listen to and relax.

www.myspace.com/therepublictigers
(They do not appear to currently have their own website.)

The Kooks - Konk

This is the second full-length for these lads from Brighton, England. They play a mixture of rock, garage rock, and Britpop. I really really love these guys. I could listen to them all day (and have). The songs on here are more laid-back than the ones on their debut Inside In/Inside Out, but I think their songwriting has improved drastically and considering that they are still only in their early twenties, they will hopefully keep getting better and better yet! Recommended if you like British rock i.e. Arctic Monkeys, Supergrass, Razorlight's first album, etc.

www.myspace.com/thekooks
www.thekooks.co.uk