Kasabian - West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum on CD

Description

Kasabian arrived with a bang and a half early this century, brandishing a slew of ever more dynamite singles and a rigorously assembled debut album that straddled dancefloors and festival fields with monumental ease and a glint in its bloodshot eyes. It was all very post-Xtrmntr, whilst avoiding much of the seriousness that could have entailed. Whether anyone expected them to chase Oasis’ coat-tails with such keenness is by the by now; they have since been ordained as an anthemic rock colossus of the UK rock scene. That has almost certainly gone to their heads and as years and albums pass they move further away from their original chemical reaction and into attempting to elbow their way onto the table of some of the greats--early Pink Floyd (the well meaning, but slightly aimless "Swarfiga"), The Kinks (the blatant "Thick As Thieves", though it doesn’t take much to imagine Noel Gallgher bashing it out either) and The Rolling Stones ("Happiness", see also Primal Scream). West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum finds them in an exploratory mood even if it struggles to lift off like either their own early material or the greats they aspire to emulate. Still, "Fast Fuse" is a rabid burst of tinny psychedelic punk and "Vlad The Impaler" intriguingly dark and electric. Not as weird or as wired as they purport to be, but given the kind of brain-numbing predictability normally peddled by bands at their level, we should be grateful for the ambition of this album. --James Berry Product Description Follow up to 2006's number one 'Empire', the third album from the English alternative rock band is an electronica-indie rock style fusion: a mix of intense melodies, electro-punk riffs and kaleidoscopic lullabies. The album includes the singles 'Fast Fuse', 'Vlad the Impaler' and 'Fire'. Review Kasabian are back with a third album and surprise surprise, they're not coming quietly. In fact, after favouring brevity on 2004's Kasabian and 2006's Empire, they've gone all-out word crazy with a genius concept album: West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum. The concept is the soundtrack to an imaginary movie undoubtedly taking place at the 19th century West Yorkshire facility that gave the album its name. If first single Fire is anything to go by, it's going to be a slow-burning grower of an album. After the departure of co-writer Chris Karloff during the making of Empire, Serge Pizzorno went solo with writing responsibilities and also co-produced with Gorillaz production supreme Dan The Automator between their very juxtaposed bases of Leicester and San Francisco. The partnership works like a charm, as you may well have heard already - whether through the album leak, the 2007 EP, the website limited debut, the Bravia TV ad or the soundtrack to FIFA 2009. Kasabian haven't exactly been creeping around ahead of launch. These songs are epic, they could open films or welcome boxing titans into the ring. Opener Underdog has an instantly loveable classic, defiant riff. Vlad The Impaler is utter bonkers from the lyrics to the video starring The Mighty Boosh's Noel Fielding as a vampire. There's genuinely touching old-school nostalgia on Where Did All The Love Go and the opening 20 seconds of Fast Fuse could go down in history as one of the finest intros ever created. Some of the tracks take a while to reveal their charms (Fire, Happiness where Serge's vocals don't quite stand up to Tom's, Take Aim and West Ryder Silver Bullet - a duet with Sin City star Rosario Dawson). But every single one has at least a flash of utter brilliance - and most a darn sight more. Kasabian may be a bunch of rogues, but they're very, very loveable ones making music that's brilliant, uplifting, showy and epic - but above all fun. Only they could make an instrumental track named after the mechanic's hand cleaner Swarfiga cool. The swagger is definitely back. But then, if you've got it, why not flaunt it? --Sophie Bruce Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amaz