2008 Woodie Awards
Kasabian: hear the future today
Patti Silverman
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Kasabian, the latest addition to Britain's ever-growing music scene, offers a individuality in a world overtaken by garage-rock replicas.
Their futuristic style of rock 'n' roll presents a nonconformist approach to a constantly evolving genre of music.
It is this risk that highlights the greatness contained in their self-titled debut album, which will be released in the United States on March 8. The group has already hit England by storm, selling over 100,000 copies of their album in its first two weeks of release.
With an established fan base, resulting in a number of sold-out shows, this foursome is looking to extend its new wave of Brit rock to the more conservative American audience.
Although their popularity has gained them a recent nomination for Best Band and Best New Band by NME, the group has come far to secure their place in the spotlight. They began in Leicester, England playing in farms with an audience nowhere near their current standing.
Vocalist Tom Meighan, lead guitar/keyboardist Sergio Pizzorno, bassist Chris Edwards and guitarist/keyboardist Chris Karloff use this common history to blend their talents into a high level to create intensity in each of their 13 songs.
A few of these passionate pieces have been racing up the charts in the U.K. "Club Foot," the first of these tracks, begins with what seems to be a twisted impression of a symphony orchestra. Within the first few seconds, this subtle energy spins into racy guitar riffs driven by commanding vocals.
The seriousness of the opening track advances into an electronic dance beat with "Processed Beats." The clashing of each cymbal blends seamlessly with the technical keyboard arrangements, a distinctive element of their version of contemporary rock.
Their top-10 single, "L.S.F. (Lost Souls Forever)," is a constant collaboration of each musical component. It is the controversial lyrics, though, that truly overtake this song.
With lines like "The troops are on fire," or, "I need it, like potions/ These drugs are just an hour away." It is obvious that Kasabian has created an album overflowing with emotion, far from just an empty set of lyrical compilations.
A dimension to the album not applied by other artists are their two interludes, "Orange" and "Pinch Roller."
These pieces are musical arrangements that simply offer calming intermissions from their steady supply of vigor.
Arriving toward the end of the CD, "Butcher Blues" and "Cutt Off" are both mellow tracks. Slower tempos continue, eventually fading into the final song, "U Boat."
This is an almost 11-minute piece that exemplifies the dynamics within the group's experimental sound. It is an album that satisfies the wants of every mood.
Kasabian will have a chance to share their eclectic mix of beats as they tour the country with the Music, making their way to St. Louis on March 3.
In the end, it is not the bands they play with, but their new self-defined rock 'n' roll that brings their success, a form of music that leaves no room for criticism.