Hey all.

I went out about four hours ago to buy the new Kasabian record, which was released today, so it's bloody fresh. If you feel like it, you can read what I think of it, call it a review if you like, but I'm not saying anything technical, as I've only listened to it twice through, of there abouts.

 

I had previously heard "Days Are Forgotten" and "Switchblade Smiles" before I got the album, and I was impressed, although I was unsure what was going on, as it seemed far too similar to most things they've done before.

Upon first listening, I'm greeted with a massive gong sound reminiscent of James Brown's "Hell". Well, it certainly is not hell, as this song "Let's Roll Just Like We Used To" has proven to be my favourite form the album. Almost like a reprise of "Take Aim" form the previous record, it's got a very catchy horn section and hooks you instantly with it's rhythmic feel. This is a motif throughout the album, as it is in most of their songs.

Now, I must say, this album is not a drastic change to what they've done before, as they said themselves, some of the songs are left over from "West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum". so will naturally have similarities, however, it is a fresh re-invisioning of that classic Kasabian sound most of us have grown to know.

Judging from songs like "Goodbye Kiss" and "Man Of Simple Pleasures", they are adopting a more 60s influenced sound, with some (believe it or not) Motown-ey influences. There's a larder psychedelic flavour with this album too.

Lyric wise, there is largely nothing new here, it's all of the usual Kasabian topics that you would generally expect, but with that natural progression that you would also expect, but there's a sort of almost war-driven, primeval feel to the lyrics of the songs, suggesting "Writing all your wrongs", "Having the eyes of a madman" and " nowhere left to hide", there's a sense of urgency and hurrying with this.

It's not an absolutely amazing record, but likewise it isn't bad, it's pretty much what I expected them to do, which I have to say, no other album this year has managed to do for me, so I congratulate them on that, but more to the point, I am seeing a more mature sound which harkens back to their debut album taking portions of their other two.

Favourite track: Either "Let's Roll Just Like We Used To" or "Switchblade Smiles"

Rating....7/10

They were on 5Live earlier today saying it was their pop record. Some bands discussed on here get slaughtered for making pop.................

OH were they? Ha I know what you mean, there's nothing wrong with pop, and I can see where they're coming from. It's just that a lot of people associate pop with everything nowadays, but there's more to pop than that I guess.

They were on 5Live earlier today saying it was their pop record. Some bands discussed on here get slaughtered for making pop.................

 

 

Hmmm. I wonder which ones!

 

I seriously doubt Kasabian will go down the road of pop in the sense that Coldplay have done recently. I think Coldplay can pull off doing pop, Kasabian can't. Also heard that Serge Pizzornio said that they've made the first true classic album in 15 or 16 years. Somehow I seriously doubt it. They're not bad Kasabian, but I don't think they're anything special. They seem to believe that they are the heirs to Oasis in sound and that they're the biggest band in the country which is ludicrous considering a certain record by another British band is being released next month (although many don't want to believe it). I think Tom Meighan is a god awful singer and no matter how much he believes it Serge Pizzornio is no genius. Far from it.

I just happen to be listening to this very lovely album right now :wacky: Dunno about it being 'pop', I wouldn't describe it like that. The best I've heard them describe it as, is a mix of their previous three lps - and this is spot on imo, there's flavours of the debut in the more electronic-y tracks and then there's bits that wouldn't be out of place on Empire or West Ryder. As a whole piece it's more consistent than either the debut or Empire. A lot of reviews have been calling it their best yet, I'm not sure yet if it stands up to West Ryder in terms of overall quality, but it's certainly their most mature and heartfelt album, I think.

 

I suppose in terms of pop music, this album may get them even more noticed than West Ryder as maybe some of the tracks are more accessible to the mainstream. Maybe, that's what they meant. Anyway, whatever the genre or label, it's a blinder of an LP. :thumbsup:

 

There's a very active Kasabian thread tho btw where we've been dissecting Velociraptor since it leaked last week :lol: You should join us in there ;)

Will defo buy this and this and the previous two, only got the debut and never bought the rest for some reason :(.

I honestly think it is their best yet! A top album!