Reviews

Kasabian

Kasabian

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Review Date: 2005-05-03

It's hard to describe what Kasabian's exact sound is. They use a unique combination of electronic sounding backgrounds with guitar and drums rolled in overtop of it. I suppose the singer has a unique sound in that he sounds most certainly like he has an accent, from where I'm uncertain. Having released no CD ever but their self-titled debut I have nothing really to say about their background as they don't have one. I'm a bit excited about this band because it seems like it may have a mixed sound somewhere between Beck and The Chemical Brothers, but definitely leaning towards more to that of Beck. I like the ambience that they provide to their songs, I feel it is the determining factor in whether you'll like the music or not. It could be a saga which is the most important element, I mean after hearing this album a few times I've grown to like a track or two, but do they rock is the question? With that question asked its time to take a look at Kasabians debut album and see if they have a future in rock history.

With any debut album I feel you want to start the album off with a bang, "Club Foot" provides exactly the kick this album needs to get started. It has a really layered background with a wicked guitar riff that reminds me of the one in "Block Rocking Beats" by the Chemical Brothers. The vocalist is ok, I don't find him overly amazing or anything, the range seems average at best. But the most interesting part of this song is the chorus, it has background vocalists singing: "Ahhhahhhh ahhhahhh ahhhahhh" which is likely the catchiest element of the song. I can definitely see this song being a single on the album, it has that kind of potential to catch a listeners attention. I hope that through the rest of the album they keep using this consistent combination of sampling with the live music element, it always makes for an interesting and fun listen.

Track three is called "Reason is Treason". I suppose I like the song name alright, so hopefully that remains true for the song. It opens with alternating guitar riffs and then the drums flare in from the background while the lead singer does some random singing that is more like murmurs in the background. I like this song because the guitar is really well done, it is consistently the thing I notice the most about Kasabian, so if you download a track by them check out the guitar because it seems to be a strength of the band. Everytime the chorus is about to arrive this weird noise fades in and out, but its totally a neat element of the song that you enjoy after you've heard it a few times. Initially it may throw you off so give it another listen and I find that it eventually just becomes part of the song. Late in the song it changes into something completely different, which is ok, its more like the climax of the song had peaked and then the rest of the song goes to a more low key sound that winds down slowly into the chorus one last time, its really well put together.

Track eight has a sicke beat, its called "Test Transmission". It opens with this rolling beat that has little scratches in it, almost sounding like the scratches were made with water, it gives you that underwater feel I suppose. Anyways the verses build up the tempo before it gets to the chorus where they insert this keyboard that is retro as anything right into the song. Also they include some tamborine, and I can honestly say I think I overlook the tamborine in music, its a simple instrument but it totally adds a pleasant sound that I think is one of the cooler parts of this track. I think this is the first track that I truly enjoy the vocals on, they are really well done on the chorus areas where it seems that he has a bit more range than I initially anticipated. I maybe don't notice the vocals as much just due to the fact that usually they usually add a lot of treble or reverb to them and it just gives them a more eerie feel in the songs. I like the fact that they left the vocal track untouched on this song, it makes for a better song I think.

Man this is a really retro sounding song, and I'm talking retro sounding like an old murder mystery eerieness that you get when you hear track ten, "Cult Off". I think they fact that I hear xylophone says that they have the eerie part down, but the interludes on the chorus are well done too, almost like a choir singing melody in the background. It does have that electronic sampling added in, but of course you can see the guitar and drum prescence, just in this song it is less prevalent. I would think this is my favourite song, especially because the vocals on this track are almost that white-boy rapping style that you get with the "Odelay" album by Beck. Also prior to the chorus I mentioned the background vocals, I think it is probably the best element of the track because it is the catchiest part and as a result makes the most of the song.

Tracks to Steal: "Cult Off", "Test Transmission", "Reason is Treason", "Club Foot"

Were Kasabian able to rock the saga on their debut album?

Do they pay homage to the legends of rock whose path they choose to follow?

Judgment Passed

Score: 8.2

This is totally a nice surprise album, its not super hard rock but theres a catchy track or two and I can see myself listening to it again absolutely.

- Brandon