Kasabian- West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
Fri 17 Jul 2009
Kasabian- West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
8/10
Kasabian may be trying to be, and look, like the hottest band in Britain, but they’re not that band yet. No matter how much they bicker with Oasis and try to become more successful, there’s never ever really going to be a clear winner. The band’s third album, named after a mental hospital in Wakefield, England, sees the band maturing into a well polished, fully focused rock band. Like Kings Of Leon and to some extent Muse, Kasabian has started playing the stadiums and as a result their music has changed. However to Kasabian’s credit they’ve probably changed the least out of the three bands, but it will probably be better to judge that when they release their next album. Kasabian actually suit this new style quite well, they’ve always been a very confident, cocky young band and they’ve managed to fuse their fuller, louder guitar sound with some neatly developed instrumental indie rock arrangements very nicely. There’s definitely wandering elements of Brit-pop on some of the tracks, but they’ve refrained from blatantly trying to play copycat. ‘Thick As Thieves’ is the most Brit-pop sounding of the twelve tracks, taking on board a catchy pop sounding guitar riff and coating it with a well structured chorus that no doubt will have their fans singing along in unison. ‘West Ryder Silver Bullet’ takes the band briefly back to their early days; opening with some spiritual words, spoken in the tone of a patient from a metal asylum. The song runs with a deep, dark pulse, before expanding into a psychedelic jam. It also features guest vocals by actress Rosario Dawson. Earlier in the album, ‘Fast Fuse’ takes a crack at garage-style rock and roll, complete with a crackly sounding guitar riff and dog-eared rhythms. Opening track ‘Underdog’ has a big guitar sound with backing woos and expansive drum beats, it’s an obvious stadium anthem without the grandiose smarmy grin. Later the album becomes more psychedelic, ‘Secret Alphabets’ plays with some bluesy guitar strings and rides a smooth groove, helped preciously along by Tom Meigham’s softly whispered vocals. ‘Fire’ is a late booty-shaking dance hit, the band attempt to pay respect to Mick Jagger and it totally works. On West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum Kasabian display that they have the time and ability to continue to make solid psychedelic rock, despite being thrust into the stadium circuit where bigger is often better.
Nick
