Nick J. D. Hodgson - Tell Your Friends

Having written the majority of Kaiser Chiefs’ mammoth hits, Nick Hodgson’s way around a melody is tried and tested, and on ‘Tell Your Friends’ it’s the singer’s obvious skill. Classic and nuanced, he’s a topline writer of clout. Lyrically, however, the former Chief tends to crumble into schmaltz. If you can resist an involuntary eyeball roll at “You’ve got an honest face / You brighten up every corner of this place”, then more credit to you. In an uncynical world, maybe Nick’s PG13 sentiments would float, but in this modern horrorshow, they feel a bit trite.