Friday, September 25, 2009
A Trip To The Asylum
There's always a very distinctive sound with BritRock bands, and I've always quite fancied the quirks and witty tunes they churn out.
Which shames me to say that even though I've heard of Kasabian, I didnt really follow through and give them much thought until I saw them perform live at MTV Worldstage Malaysia recently.
Where they totally. Blew. Me. Away.
So what better way to make up for my huggeeeee mistake than by going through their latest album "West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum" (WRPLA) and digesting every bit of deliciousness that is Kasabian! The cd has been on a loop in my car for about 2 weeks already, and its friggin' awesome.
FYI, there is a mental institution called West Riding Pauper Lunatic Asylum in England and the band decided to base the album on it after it struck a chord with them when they watched it in a TV documentary. Deep.
This album cover apparently depicts the band all dressed up for a party at the asylum. Okaaaaayyyy...
The album is like the soundtrack to an unknown movie in our heads. And its one movie that's got a whole spectrum of genres and emotions in it.
The first track "Underdog" kicks off the album on a huge soaring note and is a great energetic song, with the riffs really getting stuck in my head after awhile. There's a slight aloof swagger in Tom Meighan's voice and the little synths here and there make this a great intro to the album.
I've already found one of my favourite songs in the album with the second track, "Where Did All the Love Go?", with its oddly placed (but perfectly matched) middle east influences and the dragged out backup vocals in the chorus. Man, this song sounds kinda like how you'd sing something after you've had a pint or two =X
"Swarfiga" is a short filler instrumental song that is half floating along in space and half acid trip. I didnt know what to think.
Another song that will grab you by the ears and not let go would be "Fast Fuse"! Almost fooled by the blues-y intro that it would be a slow song, it caught me by surprise by jumping straight into a chaotic mess with a hint of urgency! This is definitely for the nail-biting car-chase scene in any movie! And I love the thump-thumping first chorus (i can imagine a concert crowd going wild with this) which I keep repeating to myself.
"Take Aim" is a song straight out of a Quentin Tarantino movie with it starting really slow and quiet with teasing vocals (are those sirens i hear?), then gradually building up to a song that will have your head swaying with the chorus. There is a fab middle eastern-ish horns and strings arrangement throughout the song and towards the end for a perfect hypnotic touch.
If ever there was a song playing in the background of a Charles Dickens story, it would be "Thick as Thieves". Its got a great melancholic tune which makes you think of sneaking down dark back alleys to plot naughty things and the twanging (i dont know how else to describe it) guitars add a dejected feel to the song. Very familiar melody too. But it does have a great moment with the grand la-la-la's towards the end =P
By far the creepiest song on the album (and very fitting with the album concept) is "West Ryder Silver Bullet". Really, you have to listen to this song on full blast to appreciate the complexity of it. The constant creeping and marching tone with haunting chiming (xylophone? haha) and a distant choir that builds up, just barely keeps you on the edge of an audio high wtf. The vocals which feature a duet with Rosario Dawson is absolutely mesmerising, especially at the end of the chorus.
Yes, her.
The line "She's my baby/He's my baby" gave me goosebumps the first time I heard it. Ok, this song can get abit depressing after awhile and makes me feel abit jumpy everytime I listen to it. I dont know why I cant stop listening to it 0_____0
Thankfully, the next song "Vlad the Impaler" will snap you right out of any depressing stupor you might be in! Its angry, rebellion-fueled with very distorted guitars and a great thumping beat that will make this song an anthem at any concert methinks. The chorus of "Get loose, get loose" has all the makings of a great mosh-pit moment.
"Secret Alphabets" is a little bass-y, a little synth-ish and a little neither here nor there. Not high on my list of favourites, it does have a dramatically orchesta-laden ending which would be great in a tragic movie.
One of my major faves of the album would be "Fire". This track is like listening to several different songs at once as it switches effortlessly between highs and lows! It starts off slowly and plods along with a creeping tone, before exploding into a big chorus with great whistling whoo's (goodness, my elaboration skills leave much to be desired) that always has me humming along as well. And the secondary chorus layered in makes you think you're hearing things. Love it.
There are 2 slower songs in WRPLA which are "Ladies and Gentlemen (Roll the Dice)" and "Happiness". They're great because they're the mellow side of Kasabian. "Ladies and Gentlemen" is actually quite a sad ballad with its grand organ lilt and rather dejected lyrics and vocals. It sounds like a song to give up on, but please dont haha.
I love love love "Happiness" which is the best song to end the album with! Its absolutely inspirational with a chilled-out feel to it and really uplifting to the soul as it slowly builds up. Having a full gospel choir to back up this song just completes it perfectly and you'll probably clap along with it towards the end too =)
Clearly, I'm a fan of almost every song on the album. Kasabian's got their psychadelic rock act down to a science. Transition between each song is nicely done and there isnt a disconnected feeling with some tracks like you get with most other albums. Listen to this album again and again and you'll see each track in a different light each time. Its all so distinctive, slightly haunting and the tunes blend seamlessly with one another which will have you wondering which song is which when you start hearing them in your head days after.
I guess that's what happens when you pay a visit to the West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum.
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