Kasabian - Velociraptor! (2011)

7/10  

Kasabian can't go wrong with more electronic-tinged madness

Among Kasabian’s claims earlier this year were that this album “will change your life” and be “the greatest ever”. Clearly, they’re not short on confidence, and their bravado happily transcends into their music.

Velociraptor! sees the band in full swing, happy to explore a variety of sounds and moods. Of course, there are anthems; you don’t have to wait long to hear “Days Are Forgotten”, the lead single with customary ridiculous lyric (“I saw something out there on the darkest star/You was at home, chewing on monkey brains”). Likewise, you can Serge Pizzorno’s dabbling in electronic music, prominent in the energetic “Re-Wired” and “Switchblade Smiles”, a Chemical Brothers-esque monster of a track. There’s an infectious chorus from Serge, but it’s Tom Meighan’s verse which really sounds like it would fit perfectly into a ‘90s “big beat” track.

They’re also ready to explore a deeper, more sombre mood, with an old movie feel to songs such as “La Fée Verte” and “Goodbye Kiss”, while ending track “Neon Noon” is actually a superb instance of dreamy, downtempo electronica. Another quirk is the Hispanic sound embraced on some of the songs, such as the title track.

If there’s one way in which Kasabian justify their frequent comparisons to Oasis, it’s Serge Pizzorno’s tendency to write poetic-sounding lyrics which mean nothing (in the manner of Noel Gallagher).  It’s not always the way; Pizzorno likes to write about the strains felt from a rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle (“Goodbye Kiss”) or those suffered from  generally living in society (“Man Of Simple Pleasures”). Of course, there’s a lot of drugs, but it’s not all focused on the high. “I Hear Voices”, one of the finest points of the album, has Meighan painting a picture of a man’s struggle with his conscience (I hear voices, they tell me to stop/Why should I listen, they’ve never felt the drop”), with a spooky synth line adding to the psychological battle detailed by the words.

If there’s one criticism of Kasabian, it’s that they don’t really reach the thrilling heights that they’re capable of. This album is an excellent showcase of creativity for those who’d accuse them of just being a “lads’ band” but, “Switchblade Smiles” aside, there’s not a lot that a fan would desperately want to see in a live set (over the best of their previous albums).

Still, Velociraptor! is blessed with the distinct character and unshakable swagger of their earlier work. It’s simply great to hear the band doing what they’re good at while trying a few new tricks. They may lack the impact or originality of some of their great Britrock predecessors, but they seem to have a staying power that some of those bands didn’t have either.

This was released by Columbia on 16 September 2011, available from Kasabian's website or HMV.