Damon Albarn has criticised Kaiser Chiefs in the strongest possible terms - by comparing their new album to Blur's famously underwhelming 1995 record The Great Escape.
The singer said: “I've made two bad records. The first record [Leisure], which is awful, and The Great Escape, which was messy.
"The Kaiser Chiefs' new record sounds a bit like The Great Escape in that it sounds a bit empty. Sometimes records are like that if you try too hard to repeat your success."
It's quite a change of heart for Albarn. Two years ago he was so moved by a Kaiser Chiefs gig at Leeds Metropolitan University he burst into tears ("I think it was a compliment," said Kaisers drummer Nick Hodgson at the time).
Kaiser Chiefs - who Liam Gallagher once unfairly dismissed as "a bad Blur" - have made no secret of the debt they owe Albarn and co. What's more, Ricky Wilson and Damon Albarn have hung out together several times (they even went together to watch ex-Blur guitarist Graham Coxon's solo gig at South By Southwest in Texas last year).
We wonder if the atmosphere might be a bit more frosty the next time they meet...
Albarn has a few good points about what his opinions are but you also have to look at it from his point of view, he probably means it as a warning to his friend, he might not want them to become the next Oasis or something. The reason Liam Gallagher would slate teh Kaiser Chiefs is because they are worried about new competition. Even though the Kaiser Cheifs album doesn't pack quite the punch, it gives both good and bad tracks out and that is what i think is essential for all albums, people vary in taste just as bands vary in preformance.
Posted by Adrian Cartridge at 12:20PM | May 15, 2007
Kaiser Cheifs album doesn't 'pack the punch'? All of there songs are brilliant and how do they 'vary in performance?' I know! There songs are either brilliant or great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ( if it was a warning to a friend then why tell everyone D A) - I'M SEEING K C AT 'T' ON THE FRINGE - YOUR'E NOT!!!!!!!
Posted by both kaiser chiefs albums are great at 11:12AM | May 16, 2007
Rickt+Nick+Simon+Whitey+Peanut= The most beautiful thing (O M G)
Posted by K C at 11:23AM | May 16, 2007
Kaiser Chiefs have had their moment. I Predict A Riot was an OK single, but they have never backed it up. I guarantee that the music press will not look so favourably upon them in a couple of years time. When the hype is gone, their "albums" will be exposed for the lame ducks that they are!! Damon Albarn is right!! Damon Albarn is always right!! Look at Oasis!
Posted by They're putting the holes in!! at 04:36PM | May 18, 2007
Actually, I think The Great Escape was one of Blur's best albums. Despite two or three songs, Kaiser Cheifs weren't even Blur standard to start with.
Posted by Fluffy Spider at 11:38AM | May 19, 2007
yeah, The Great Escape's my favourite album too. i don't get why it's so underrated. and i think oasis are idle hype band. it's so unfair! all i need is some new proper bands like blur!
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Damon Albarn has criticised Kaiser Chiefs in the strongest possible terms - by comparing their new album to Blur's famously underwhelming 1995 record The Great Escape.
