Written and produced by songwriter and guitarist Serge Pizzorno, the highly anticipated fourth studio album ‘Velociraptor!’ from Kasabian is all that we’re been anticipating: Punchy and versatile, whilst still firmly holding onto their classically English modern rock style.
The Leicester lads have just come off the back of the UK summer festival circuit, including the Isle of Wight, Rock Werchter (Belgium) and head lined the infamous Rockness Festival held in Scotland.
Formed over 10 years ago the band have had more than their fair share of accolade since the release of their debut album in 2004. Last year saw them collect the award for ‘Best Act in the World Today’ at the Q Awards and nominated for a prestigious Mercury for their third album, ‘West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum’.
For the second time around, Dan the Automator (former hip-hip producer) produced ‘Velociraptor!’ which was recorded in Leicester and mixed in San Francisco early 2011.
On par with the likes of British blood The Arctic Monkeys (Best known for their heavy accents and English topical lyrics), and comparable to New York dance-punk band The Rapture, Kasabian’s influences are clear. Ranging from the seasoned Stone Roses, Primal Scream and obviously Oasis, Kasabian sit somewhere in between both generations.
The opening track ‘Let’s Roll Just Like We Used To’ starts off with a resonating gong and a slightly Latin trumpet solo which then throws you straight into the heart of the song, with Tom Meighan’s memorable vocals ringing true.
The first single to be lifted from the album is ‘Days Are Forgotten’, with a driving beat and a mild funk melody this is a fairly standard Kasabian pop-rock tune. Unfortunately the song is dragged out for over 4 minutes and becomes a bit tedious.
‘Goodbye Kiss’ is the token sweet, mellow ballad with a few ‘La-la, la-la’s’ thrown in for good measure. The stand out song off this album would have to be the title track ‘Velociraptor!’. With an 80’s feel and a million lyrics, this track is loads of fun, emulating electro-rock at it’s best.
Kasabian are definitely attempting to climb the proverbial ‘Best of British Pop-Rock’ ladder, time will tell if this album helps boost them to the top.
Listen to the whole record below:
