Come On Feel This, I'm Still Alive (West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum - Kasabian)

Member Name: Andy.mack

Product:	West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum - Kasabian
Date:	03/07/09 (49 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Another excellent album with big beats and offereing something new and fresh

Disadvantages: It will take time to get into it

It's been 5 years since Kasabian first graced the airwaves with the release of their self titled debut album. That was followed up with increasing success in 2006 by their second album Empire. Now 3 years since their last album the Leicestershire band are back with their 3rd and perhaps most eagerly anticipated albums yet. Over the years they seem to have made the transition from a band no one seemed to have heard of into one of the most in demand and popular bands in Britain at the moment.

Of course it just takes one listen to either of the bands previous albums to see why they are so in demand. That put a bit more pressure on them for the release of their 3rd album this year though, but it appears to have been pressure they've thrived under. It isn't the instant impact album the previous two had managed, this album is much more of a grower. It's taken me a couple of weeks to really get into it, but it's a far more mature sound and seems to really highlight the effort the band have put into getting things right.

Rather than stick to the tried and tested formula from the first two albums there is a far more experimental angle to this album. They have linked up with the producer of the original Gorillaz album, a man nicknamed Dan The Automator to try and ensure they achieved a different sound. It's an album that really highlights Serg and Tom's writing ability. The combinations of guitars, drums and Bass work particularly well. Throughout the album there are obvious influences from the Rolling Stones, The Kinks and even early Pink Floyd.

From the first listen it's clear that this isn't going to be an instant hit like the previous albums and even the vocals seem to be slightly different. Tom and Serg seem to have experimented with the vocal arrangement, with some very un Kasabian tracks like the album closer Happiness. While a few may find the vocals don't work, I've actually found myself appreciating them far more the more I listen to the album. It's important to remember, especially if you're a long term fan of the band, that they don't just want to create the same albums over and over again. They want to try something different and that's what this album is, it's different but it's fair to say that it works.

Despite everything I've said thought the album does still open with a decent, upbeat track just like the previous albums. There is a hypnotic beat to "Underdog" that means it wouldn't have been out of place on the previous couple of albums. It was certainly one of the tracks that grabbed me on my first listen and while a lot of the album took a bit of time to get into, I found an instant connection with "Underdog", "Vlad The Impaler" and the album's first single "Fire".

It's in tracks like "West Ryder Silver Bullet" and "Happiness" that the more experimental side of the album really comes out. In particular now I've found that I prefer a couple of these, slightly different tracks to the more traditional Kasabian tracks. In fact "West Ryder Silver Bullet" has a very hypnotic sound to it that seems to really make it appeal. It's a far more complex track and with a combination of effective vocals and haunting guitar riffs it works incredibly well.

Overall I think it's fair to say that this is another solid release from the Leicestershire boys. I'll admit that whilst it wasn't the instant hit the first 2 albums had been there is something about it that keeps you listening. They've mixed in a nice mixture of older styled tracks, with the new more experimental ones to keep everyone happy. I think it's fair to say that Kasabian have officially hit the mainstream and still making albums this good after 3 albums, it's fair to say they should be around for a long time to come.

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Summary: The third studio album from Kasabian