Modern Way

"Modern Way"
Single by Kaiser Chiefs
from the album Employment
Released	7 November 2005 (2005-11-07)[1]
Length	4:03 (album version) 3:31 (radio edit)
Label	B-Unique
Songwriter(s)	Ricky Wilson Andrew White Simon Rix Nick Baines Nick Hodgson
Producer(s)	Stephen Street
Kaiser Chiefs singles chronology
"I Predict a Riot" / "Sink that Ship" (2005) "Modern Way" (2005) "Lap of Honour" (2006)

"Modern Way" is the fourth and final single released from English indie rock band Kaiser Chiefs' 2005 debut album, Employment, on 7 November 2005. It entered the UK Singles Chart at No. 11 and became a minor hit in Ireland and the Netherlands.

Music video

The song's music video marked the directorial debut of the band's lead singer, Ricky Wilson and was co-directed by prolific video director Scott Lyon.^[2] It tells of the success of William Green, a juggler who has a unique skill for balancing tennis balls on his face, and the impact that he has made on the public.^[3] The band appears throughout as extras, donning glasses and facial hair. During Green's climatic performance, they appear as themselves.

Track listings

UK CD1^[4]

1. "Modern Way" – 3:31
2. "People Need Light" – 3:06

UK CD2^[5]

1. "Modern Way" – 3:31
2. "Moon" – 2:51
3. "It Ain't Easy" (demo) – 2:25
4. "Modern Way" (video)

UK 7-inch single^[6]

A. "Modern Way" – 3:31

B. "Run Again" – 2:40

Reception

AllMusic called it the song "moody-yet-stylish".^[7] NME called it "sublime" comparing it to Blur's Popscene,^[8] and PlayLouder.com similarly compared it to Modern Life Is Rubbish.^[9]

Pitchfork's Joe Tangari reviewed the album and called Modern Way "the only song on the LP that is truly dynamic" praising the "fluid verses" and build up to the "towering chorus". He does concede that the song makes him imagine the band during recording asking for "More Cowbell".^[10]

Charts

Chart (2005–2006)	Peak position
Ireland (IRMA)[11]	47
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[12]	89
Scotland (OCC)[13]	12
UK Singles (OCC)[14]	11

Other versions

One of Kaiser Chiefs' contemporary bands from Yorkshire, the Cribs, covered "Modern Way" in 2005, as a B-side to their single "Mirror Kissers".^[15] In 2006, the song was reworked for the Buena Vista Social Club album Rhythms del Mundo.^[16]

References

1. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. 5 November 2005. p. 25. Misprinted as 00.00.05.
2. "For The Record: Quick News On Paris Hilton, 50 Cent, Gwen Stefani, Buju Banton, Ryan Cabrera, Usher & More". MTV News. 3 October 2005. Archived from the original on 14 August 2022.
3. Corey-Moss (20 October 2005). "Kaiser Chiefs Liken Their History To Guy Who Balances Ball On His Head". MTV News. Archived from the original on 2 March 2024.
4. Modern Way (UK CD1 liner notes). Kaiser Chiefs. B-Unique Records. 2005. BUN100CD.
5. Modern Way (UK CD2 liner notes). Kaiser Chiefs. B-Unique Records. 2005. BUN100CDX.
6. Modern Way (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Kaiser Chiefs. B-Unique Records. 2005. BUN100-7.
7. Phares, Heather. "Employment – Kaiser Chiefs". AllMusic. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
8. "Kaiser Chiefs: Modern Way". NME. 28 October 2005.
9. Jeremy Allen (10 March 2005). "Review - Employment". PlayLouder.com. Archived from the original on 19 March 2005. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
10. Tangari, Joe (15 March 2005). "Kaiser Chiefs: Employment". Pitchfork. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
11. "Irish-charts.com – Discography Kaiser Chiefs". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
12. "Kaiser Chiefs – Modern Way" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
13. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
14. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
15. Modern Way. The Cribs YouTube.
16. "Rhythms del Mundo: Cuba". All Media Guide. Retrieved 29 February 2024. give the Kaiser Chiefs a wonderful Latin kick

External links

• Modern Way official video (YouTube)