CD Review: Kasabian - Kasabian
Published March 09, 2005
Yes, absolutely, all rock and roll is derivative, and according to Keith Richards, derives from the same Chuck Berry chord. I don't argue this thesis or disagree with it whatsoever. That said, the art in rock and roll is what the band or musician adds to the old-time family recipe handed down from generation to generation. If you just channel A Flock of Seagulls back at me, I'm going to be just as bored as I was the first time around. Listening to this album is like playing "Spot the Influences"; it would be one thing if it was just one riff or one song, but it's everything, everywhere.
Although I have a soft spot for the Stone Roses (and once made a serious detour to Paris just to see them play live), the rest of the Manchester music scene did nothing for me except make me exceedingly depressed, and I didn't take enough drugs for the Happy Mondays to make any sense to me. So the fact that this era is Kasabian's big musical influence probably doesn't help me like them just one bit.
I need more guitars, not less or at least synthesizers that rock, somehow. I have a bias in that department.
There are brief moments of hope - the intro to "Club Foot," for example, has about 12 seconds where you're fearing that your speakers are going to blow out, before it degenerates to something sounding not much different than that KLF song from the 90s. The whole album, in fact, is filled with amazing hooks that are subjugated to inferior melodies or abandonded in favor of something likely regarded as experimental and therefore superior.
The songs on Kasabian are absolutely competently performed, and the songs are, on the face of it, well-written, and while I can always forgive derivation, there's no fire, passion or spark here, and I don't buy the whole rebel image that the band are trying (perhaps a little too hard) to put on in interviews and press releases.
I know this band is the current Great White Hope and my hopes for this record were also rather large, but no matter how many times I try to give it another chance, Kasabian was so very much not what I expected. It is doesn't add anything to the culture.
- CD Review: Kasabian - Kasabian
- Published: March 09, 2005
- Type:
- Section: Music
- Writer: Caryn Rose
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Comments on this articleComments
Whatever, this record is just fine.
I don't know what everybody is expecting from any new act to appear. I make my living selling books and music and, thus, sample plenty of music. Kasabian, without any pre-judgement, are neither groundbreaking or at least innovative, but certainly entertaining. Emmylou Harris, e.g., bores me to death. So why not listen to a band that might not be the sensation, but still offers some good connections to times long gone by. Being from Europe, all I can say is that it's not ABBA or Britney Spears; it ain't no Dancing Queen- and that's good. I like their spirit and can't wait to see them live.
This band played Lollapalooza, but I don't think I cared enough to see them.
The Bravery are huge, stupid poseurs who are ripping off 80s songs and have a douchebag singer who's doing the world's worst Morrissey impersonation, but they do have two good, catchy songs -- "An Honest Mistake" and "Unconditional," their two radio hits this year. They're not as good a band as their enemies The Killers, but they're not a horrible band.
Kasabian strikes me as much less Duran Duran/New Order/80s influenced than the other bands you name, but again, I don't really know or care much about them.
That is all.
Emmylou Harris? Give me a break! I had heard of Kasabian only because I rely on the brit music scene for talent (given that my country is bent on that no talent cock Eminem). I have not heard their "album", but did recently see them live opening for Oasis. I thought their sound was beyond Madchester. It was Stone Roses taken to the next level. Personally, after hearing them live, I think they are better than the other band opening for Oasis, Jet. Everybody is always looking for something totally new. Well get over it. Keith Richards had it right. If you want to know what Joy Division mixed with Stone Roses and Oasis would sound like, listen to Kasabian. Otherwise, listen to usual radio garbage like 3 doors down, etc., etc.
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Caryn,
Another good one. Never heard of them - and apparently I'm happier that way :-)
Launched this on the world too - @ Advance.net for the (family-friendly) cream of the BC Web log.
Here's the link. Sorry here.
- Thanks. Temple