KASABIAN - EMPIRE (2006)If any band deserve to take the Oasis bullshit and bluster accolade for the new millennium, Kasabian are undoubtedly carrying the cudgel and beating out their hilarious cocksure blunt instrument attack on the listening world with bloated gusto. Their retro Rock for the “Loaded” generation bears all the big statements, “music by the people, for the people”, “Dance music was on its arse before we came along”, “this album will rank alongside “Definitely Maybe” and the Stones “Let It Bleed””. Ludicrous rants or delusions of grandeur, or maybe both ? Judging from the sales of their debut (700,000 and counting), their nu-baggy sound certainly made an impression, and drew an avid following for their live performances, so perhaps Kasabian have every right in telling the world that they have “balls constructed with the purest Kryptonite”, and who’s to argue ? Ultimately they will be judged by their musical performance, and “Empire” is a vital barometer of the bands’ progression to their fundamental goal of being the U.K’s biggest band. “Empire” is certainly a more mature effort than its predecessor, sophisticated production, less reliant on the early 90’s Indie moves, the songs are still soaked in Primal Scream and Oasis influence, but there’s a definitive move to shape the sound to classic early 70’s Glam Rock. The rhythms are typically stomping, and the Bass sound takes on a resonant Fuzz, more akin to Gary Glitter and Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit In The Sky”, a sound similarly picked up by Alison Goldfrapp on her latest release. Obviously, the shift in soundscape didn’t draw approval from all members of the band, as during the recording process Guitarist/Keyboardist Chris Karloff left to pursue other projects. His input should be noted by the fact that he co-wrote 3 songs with Guitarist Serge Pizzorno, including the opener and first single “Empire”. Without doubt “Empire” contains some powerful statements, the call to arms of a band of brothers with confidence in abundance, starting with the rousing title track, a thrillingly subtle anti war theme spills out as vocalist Tom Meighan belts out the line “Stop ! It’s happening again”. It’s a flag waving brute of an opener, that’s followed by an impressive nod to The Beatles “Tomorrow Never Knows”, with added Chemical Brothers insistent rhythms on “Sun/Rise/Light/Flies”. There’s rich jewels to be found laced between the ordinary, the ambient/Electro of “Seek And Destroy”, the singalong swagger of “Me Plus One”, and the overblown bombast of the closer “The Doberman”, complete with Mariachi Horn arrangement. There’s startling inconsistencies here too. “Apnoea” is destroyed by clumsy Jungle rhythms which choke any semblance of tune, “Stuntman” sounds like a discarded Primal Scream offcut, “Shoot The Runner” is all thudding rhythm and pumping bass hiding a song that has little bite. But the worst tragedy is the dreadful Serge penned and sung “British Legion”, a part acoustic, uninspired love song that proves nothing except the overriding realization that he can’t sing and this should have never got on this collection. Whilst “Empire” is a good record, it’s a long way short of the mega ball busting, power punching cacophony Kasabian had promised us. They’ve spread their own hype liberally, but they’re still yet to prove themselves as the Oasis heirs they want us to believe."Empire""Shoot The Runner""Me Plus One"
Dale says
Spot on review, although I quite like "Shoot The Runner". I also have to add that they bring it live, and Tom is a magnetic frontman in the live venue.
Marigold says
Kasabian I have heard of them just never got a chance to check em out. Thanks for the review. I like the second track out of the three. Thanks for the Review!
Jules09 says
I agree with pretty much everything you wrote here, I was more than a little disappointed with it.
That said, I think that the video for "Empire" is awesome.
Jammy Jeff says
Jules - One of the best videos of last year...I agree !
I like it when a video entices me to find out who it's dedicated to, and "Club Foot" was a great promo too IMO
KASABIAN - EMPIRE (2006)If any band deserve to take the Oasis bullshit and bluster accolade for the new millennium, Kasabian are undoubtedly carrying the cudgel and beating out their hilarious cocksure blunt instrument attack on the listening world with bloated gusto. Their retro Rock for the “Loaded” generation bears all the big statements, “music by the people, for the people”, “Dance music was on its arse before we came along”, “this album will rank alongside “Definitely Maybe” and the Stones “Let It Bleed””. Ludicrous rants or delusions of grandeur, or maybe both ? Judging from the sales of their debut (700,000 and counting), their nu-baggy sound certainly made an impression, and drew an avid following for their live performances, so perhaps Kasabian have every right in telling the world that they have “balls constructed with the purest Kryptonite”, and who’s to argue ? Ultimately they will be judged by their musical performance, and “Empire” is a vital barometer of the bands’ progression to their fundamental goal of being the U.K’s biggest band. “Empire” is certainly a more mature effort than its predecessor, sophisticated production, less reliant on the early 90’s Indie moves, the songs are still soaked in Primal Scream and Oasis influence, but there’s a definitive move to shape the sound to classic early 70’s Glam Rock. The rhythms are typically stomping, and the Bass sound takes on a resonant Fuzz, more akin to Gary Glitter and Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit In The Sky”, a sound similarly picked up by Alison Goldfrapp on her latest release. Obviously, the shift in soundscape didn’t draw approval from all members of the band, as during the recording process Guitarist/Keyboardist Chris Karloff left to pursue other projects. His input should be noted by the fact that he co-wrote 3 songs with Guitarist Serge Pizzorno, including the opener and first single “Empire”. Without doubt “Empire” contains some powerful statements, the call to arms of a band of brothers with confidence in abundance, starting with the rousing title track, a thrillingly subtle anti war theme spills out as vocalist Tom Meighan belts out the line “Stop ! It’s happening again”. It’s a flag waving brute of an opener, that’s followed by an impressive nod to The Beatles “Tomorrow Never Knows”, with added Chemical Brothers insistent rhythms on “Sun/Rise/Light/Flies”. There’s rich jewels to be found laced between the ordinary, the ambient/Electro of “Seek And Destroy”, the singalong swagger of “Me Plus One”, and the overblown bombast of the closer “The Doberman”, complete with Mariachi Horn arrangement. There’s startling inconsistencies here too. “Apnoea” is destroyed by clumsy Jungle rhythms which choke any semblance of tune, “Stuntman” sounds like a discarded Primal Scream offcut, “Shoot The Runner” is all thudding rhythm and pumping bass hiding a song that has little bite. But the worst tragedy is the dreadful Serge penned and sung “British Legion”, a part acoustic, uninspired love song that proves nothing except the overriding realization that he can’t sing and this should have never got on this collection. Whilst “Empire” is a good record, it’s a long way short of the mega ball busting, power punching cacophony Kasabian had promised us. They’ve spread their own hype liberally, but they’re still yet to prove themselves as the Oasis heirs they want us to believe.
"Empire""Shoot The Runner""Me Plus One"
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