Kasabian - Kasabian

Wow, what can I say about Kasabian? I’ve been living with this disc for a while now, and I still maintain that it will go down as one of the most important releases of the year. The Leicester quartet has put out a truly brilliant record that defies categorization and stands up to the hype surrounding it. It’s hard to describe the sound Kasabian has. At certain points, they seem to flirt with influences ranging from prog-rockers Yes to more recent icons Primal Scream. The music is full of psychadelia with a decidedly modern twist, and from the first time I heard “John was a scientist / He was hooked on LSD,” (“Cutt It”), they had me. The album opens with the hard throb of “Club Foot,” and rolls right into the loping rhythm of “Processed Beats.” One thing you’ll notice on this disc is that the transitions are easy and natural from one song to the next. My favorite track on the disc is “I.D.,” which proclaims, “Music is my, my love.” (I couldn’t have said it better myself) “Running Battle” opens up with an Orbital-esque keyboard rattle and then slides into an ambient groove with singer Tom Meighan’s dulcet vocals oozing along on top. A grand, sweeping instrumental, “Ovary Stripe” carries you off on a magic carpet ride above rolling green fields dodging puffy white clouds, landing softly at the feet of the final song, “U Boat.” Despite being named after one of the Manson family members, you’ve got nothing at all to fear from Kasabian, unless, of course, you’re afraid of hearing one of best albums of 2005. [www.kasabian.co.uk]