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 3.5 Stars... Not enough truly memorable songs Oct 28, 2009
Kasabian caused a sensation in its native UK with the release of its 2004 self-titled debut album. Their second album, 2006's "Empire", was generally not well received, although I loved it. Now, after a long lay-off, finally comes the band's eagerly-anticipated third album.
"West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum" (12 tracks; 52 min.) kicks off with a rousing "Underdog", which is followed by the best track on the album (for me), "Where Did All The Love You", with an irresitable underlying beat. After a short (and pointless) instrumental, another great track follows, "Fast Fuse". The first half of the album concludes with less urgent, but still quite ok, tracks "Take Aim" and "Quick As Thieves". I rate the first half of the album 4 stars. The second half starts off with a nice "West Ryder Silver Bullet" but then loses focus and intensity. Too many unmemorable tunes, frankly. The last highlight is "Fire" (1st UK single), opening slowly but then crashing in, and another great sing/hum-along. The closeing track "Happiness", though, is a headscratcher, a complete departure of the "Kasabian sound" (featuring a soul-sounding choir no less). I rate the second half of the album 3 stars.
In all, this is quite a disappointing album for me. Gone is the brash, thundering sound of the earlier albums. I've seen Kasabian in concert before, and they were fabulous. I'm gonna venture that most of the songs from this album will rock much harder live than on here, and I can only hope to get an opportunity to see these guys live again (they don't tour the US much, sadly).
 Kasabian Polished and Perfected Sep 09, 2009
Kasabian decided that they wanted to make a new album completely different from their previous records. This could be dangerous or smart depending on the new sound they change to. Boy, it turned out to be quite the suprise to hear a kind of country bumpkin sound come out of Kasabian. But you know what, it was genius. You listen to Fire the first time and your thinking, what happened? Then all of a sudden it hits you and the song sounds so beautiful and epic. I have listened to that song as well as the rest repeatedly since it came out, and it's never gotten old. It's such a durable album, I can only compare it to Radiohead's In Rainbows. It never ever gets old. This concept album is the best example for artists looking to compose a concept piece. It takes you to a different world or age and gives you something new that you'll never forget. It's a powerful album.
Luckily its nearly perfect from start to finish. You'll definetely get your money's worth. My favorite tracks are "Where Did All the Love Go?", "Fast Fuse", "Take Aim", "Thick as Thieves", "West Ryder Silver Bullet", "Vlad the Impaler", "Ladies and Gentlmen", "Secret Alphabets", and "Fire". The other songs seem a little off from the concept, but they're still good songs. "Happiness" is the only song I really don't enjoy.
This album proves that Kasabian is a extremely flexible and talented group. I agree that it deserves album of the year. It's definately their best album yet, and it brings about a new genre to their genre, if that makes sense. Do me a favor, and buy this album if you liked their previous work. Forget previewing and sampling because you will be disappointed. Listen to the album a few times. "Thick as Thieves" will most likely catch on first. Then the rest of the album comes at you at full speed. It's an album you will never let go. It never gets old. It's Kasabian's Masterpiece.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Kasabian Rises After Their Sophomore Slump Aug 03, 2009
Some of the scenester, music critics have panned this album and have focused their negativity on Kasabian's somewhat childish lyrics (what - MGMT, Passion Pit, Vampire Weekends, etc. have so much more mature and better lyrics?) . But what these 'critics' fail to realize, is that the music and beats are so strong and catchy, that it doesn't really matter what they are saying - the music outweighs. Plus, if you are familiar with Kasabian's previous work, then you won't mind the lyrics and like me; actually enjoy and sing along to the songs.
"Underdog" starts the album out strong and aggressive with a sonic and visceral guitar lick that will get your blood boiling and your feet stomping. The second song is a typical Kasabain 4/4 drum beat that will have you playing air-drums and enjoying the catchy and well sung chorus. The rest of the album is just as aggressive and hook-worthy, with a few slower songs scattered throughout. The slower songs might need getting use to but they help diversify the album and get to showcase Kasabian's use of new and different string and percussion instruments.
Interesting to note, how the song "Fast Fuse" somewhat reminds me of the song (mostly the chorus) "Out Ta Get Me" by Guns N' Roses. Both furious songs have unrelenting lyrics and make no apologies with their primal guitar and drum beats.
Fans of Primal Scream's "EXTRMNTR", GNR's "Appetite for Destruction", and Kasabian's first album will like this comeback album. Definitely a Top 10 album for 2009. Get loose, get loose!
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
one surprise after another Jul 25, 2009
This is a really interesting album. That isn't always a good thing, but in this case, it certainly is. I LOVE putting an album on, and not knowing where it's going from one song to the next, or even from the verse to the chorus of the same song. Only a very few albums have surprised me that way in the past decade or so. Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot comes to mind, but it wasn't as riddled with wonderfully infectious pop hooks as West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum is. I really want to see these guys live in a small club. I have no idea what the critics have to say about this album. If they like it, they are astute, if not, they are idiots, but that's always the way, isn't it? Thank God for the internet and streaming alternative music, or I would never have heard of Kasabian. It's a safe bet they won't be getting a lot of air play in this new world order of Britney, Beyonce, Kanye and Pink.
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
Candidate for Album of the Year? Jul 02, 2009
I'm old enough to have seen rock music recycle itself several times over. In some ways this makes me jaded, not easily impressed by the latest 'hot act'. However about once every decade or so artists come along who make such a huge impression on me that I buy everything they produce, never stop listening to them, and they take their place in the playlist I'll be jamming to when the guy with the long scythe comes for me. In the 60s it was Free (Paul Rodgers), Hendrix and Small Faces; in the 70s it was Bad Company (Paul Rodgers again), Skids (Stuart Adamson) and Santana; in the 80s it was Big Country (Stuart Adamson again), The Cure and R.E.M. In the 90s I was blown away by Pearl Jam and The Verve. Now, with no disrespect to The Cure and R.E.M., who both put out perhaps their best albums in 15 years in 2008, the last 5 years have for me been dominated by Kasabian and Interpol. About Kasabian: I have sons who are older than Tom, Serge & co but that doesn't detract from my awestruck reaction to Kasabian as a band. Everything I have ever loved about British music is emcompassed in Kasabian's first three albums and this latest offering, West Ryder, etc. is perhaps the best of them all. If a better album comes out this year I'll be surprised. Buy it, you won't be sorry.
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