Kasabian - Velociraptor!

Whilst the rest of the world gets excited by Coldplay and the Kings of Leon's spectacular meltdown, it's quite easy to forget about the likes of Kasabian - and that's a frightening prospect given how consistently great they've been. It's still something of a mystery to me that none of their records have propelled them into international stardom, and yet the gloriously average Viva la Vida did. Ho-hum. The British music press have been far kinder to the band though; Q and NME regularly devote entire front-covers to Pizzorno, Meighan and co., cementing their position as one of the UK's most exciting and enduring prospects.

Album #4, Velociraptor!, would seem, if not from the title then its cover, to be something of a wildfire. Not that 'West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum' was an entirely modest title. Opening as it does, with 'Let's Roll Just Like We Used To', we find the band heralding their entry with a deeply retro swagger. The attention to detail screams Wall of Sound, whilst the chorus just screams. "They're at it again!" is crowed with no sense of irony or self-doubt, and it's utterly convincing. First single 'Days Are Forgotten' harks back to the band's debut with an almost daft vocal hook and deliciously blunt riffs, that breathed fresh life into the UK indie scene just seven years ago and will hopefully do so again.


Before one scribbles this down as a rehash of their former glory, 'Goodbye Kiss' interrupts the nostalgia for some (to my knowledge) yet unseen rock-and-roll balladry from the Leicester outfit. Even without a sultry Diana Ross or Martha Reeves, it sways sweetly. For 'La Fée Verte' the band turn up the psychedelia - "I see Lucy in the sky telling me I'm high" - for a slightly confusing narcotic anecdote (assuming the green fairy, of the title, wasn't as accustomed with pot as she was with absinthe) that nonetheless does well to evoke its inspired sounds (late Beatles, basically). The title track then reasserts their energetic abilities and if you're willing to take music not so seriously (here's looking at you, the Guardian) it's extremely satisfying.

Things do verge on the Bond-theme levels of pomp on occasion, though: the intro to 'Acid Turkish Bath (Shelter From The Storm)' is a little unnecessary given its sudden descent into flamenco-tinged carelessness afterwards. The strings continue to dazzle throughout, but feel more jazz-hands than exciting. The tone is yet again changed in 'I Hear Voices', a slight TRON soundtrack of an inclusion, which is a personal highlight (although by now one should bear in mind this record is very much a chocolate variety box). 'Re-wired' sees the band tying in this new electronic ("make you feel electric") sound with their typecasts - something accomplished easily with the tune.

'Man of Simple Pleasures' serves well as the album's (and perhaps the band's) manifesto - explaining their efforts to strive towards experimentation, all the while rejoicing in their influences ("I see your future, leave me alone in the past") and their love of music. Because whilst they do indeed take steps to keep things fresh, as evidenced by the synth on 'Switchblade Smiles', it's the reverence to their, and musical, past that reaffirms them. The drums on this particular track aren't necessarily original, nor are the hazy vocals, but nod graciously to influences (Led Zeppelin here). They save the greatest surprise for closing track 'Neon Noon', though. Much less bombastic, it serves as a blissful ending.


Of course now that Oasis are engaged in a fit of tabloid snipes amongst each other there was a gap in the market waiting for an ambitious enough stalwart. With The Vaccines remaining too anonymous, Viva Brother too ridiculous and The View too Scottish, Kasabian were never less than the prime candidates, especially with the plentiful tunes here and their knack for songwriting that most have lost by album #4. You'd be pushed to find a theme or a concept here, but I'm not entirely sure you'd look to them for one anyway.

Rating: 8.5/10
Highlights: I Hear Voices, Let's Roll Like We Used To, Velociraptor!, Re-wired, Neon Noon
Avoid: n/a

Artwork Watch: It's a bit of a fucking mess in all honesty.