New Releases: Kasabian

West Ryder Pauper Lunatic AsylumI'll admit it now as it's a bit of a naughty musical secret of mine, but, I'm already a Kasabian fan. I secretly love all those loud brash guitars, vocal effects, and bravado. I have both of their previous albums (Kasabian and Empire respectively) and I like them both. So this morning, I was eagerly awaiting the release of their third effort, West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum.

It's different from their earlier efforts but in a really good way. They picked up the highly talented Dan the Automator to produce the album and the result might have some Kasabian fans wondering what happened to the band.

Opening with Underdog and Where Did All The Love Go? we get a feel for the old Kasabian, but as the album progresses, we start to see that "alt-rock" sound they loved so much disappear.

Slower tracks, such as Thick As Thieves and West Ryder Silver Bullet (a duet with Rosario Dawson) gives us a more complex, brooding, insight into the band. No doubt, these songs in particular will prove popular when performed live.

All in all I like this album and I know it'll get better the more I listen to it. I hope that Kasabian fans will give them a chance and give this album a fair listen. I also think this will be heralded as one of the best albums of 2009, and hopefully, will give them a breakthrough in the U.S.

The band has proven that they can grow and mature as a unit, and hopefully, this shows they have plenty more music in them yet. I, for one, certainly hope so.

For more info on the band check out their official site or download the album at iTunes.

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