Title: West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
Artist: Kasabian
Genre: Indie Rock
Release Date: 5th June 2009
Label: Columbia Records
Album Review
‘Underdog’ was just an appetizer and now finally the new KASABIAN album ‘West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum’ is in stores which is following the successful second album of the band ‘Empire’, released in 2006.
‘Underdog’ that has been released as preceding single already opens the album and gets straight to the point with flashing, distorted guitars and an elaborate drum section that sounds to me as if some electronics have been weaved in there as well. Tom Meighan’s well-sounding vocals top the song off. Following next is ‘Where did all the Love go’ that continues on with much straighter drum grooves complemented by the crackling of an old vinyl record and while speaking of older sound carriers. While proceeding through the album it becomes clearer that the band has oriented themselves a lot on past musical torrents and so the instrumental ‘Swarfiga’ for instance, through its rather minimalist rhythm reminds a bit of the Post Punk era and ‘Fast Fuse’ makes you inevitably think of 70s rock. Take Aim’ surprises with a wind and string passage at the beginning. Then Tom, accompanied by deep guitar lines begins his chant and then also the drum section with much clearer, accentuated grooves kicks in. Only the chorus makes this tune somewhat unnerving for me.
When I read the title ‘Ladies and Gentlemen (Roll The Dice)’ I somehow expected a real kick-ass track but what then was floating through my room were minimalist and slow electronic drums, softly ringing guitars and a psychedelic atmosphere with a nicely done vocal part. Also ‘Secret Alphabets’ is, regardless of its little speed increase, still a calmer affair shrouded by a cloud of ominous atmospheres and partly pretty low-key, intense vocals. I’ve seldom heard such a diversified record. In every new song there are other influences audible and in ‘Happiness’, the album closer, even a gospel choir can be heard. The charm of this record comes not least from the fact that KASABIAN are still letting this sound like one cohesive body of work. Congratulations!
Tracklist
01. Underdog – 4:37
02. Where Did All The Love Go? – 4:17
03. Swarfiga – 2:18
04. Fast Fuse – 4:09
05. Take Aim – 5:23
06. Thick As Thieves – 3:26
07. West Ryder Silver Buller – 5:15
08. Vlad The Impaler – 4:44
09. Ladies And Gentlemen (Roll The Dice) – 3:33
10. Secret Alphabets – 5:07
11. Fire – 4:12
12. Happiness – 5:16
Line-up
Tom Meighan - Vocals
Sergio Pizzorno - Guitar
Chris Edwards - Bass
Ian Matthews - Drums
Website
http://www.kasabian.co.uk/ / http://www.myspace.com/kasabian
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Extras: -
Total: 8 / 10
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