2009 Album Review # 7: Kasabian - West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum

Kasabian is a band that plays outside of the lines of any style, simply by defining their own. There is a definite "Kasabian sound" that has formed over the band's three albums, though. However, this is not necessarily a bad thing as a band that maintains certain signature sounds is still capable of using them in new and interesting ways. This album is example of such. As with all Kasabian albums, there are high points and low points; and this one is about a 70/30 split in favor of the former. I don't want to say that Kasabian doesn't quite know how to put together a good slower-paced tune, but they miss the mark on almost every down-beat, slower-tempo song on the album, with the exception of "Thick as Thieves" and the odd "West Ryder Silver Bullet" (unless we're counting "Secret Alphabets" in that category, because that is a great song). Needless to say, the fast-paced rockers are where it's at on this album. "Fast Fuse", "Vlad the Impaler", and "Fire" all amazing songs; even despite "Fire" following a similar formula to "Empire" from the band's previous album. On "West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum" (which I believe could use one less word in the title), Kasabian does not push the boundaries of their own sound, but remain in their own realm of creativity; and they have come up with some of their best material in the process.