2/5
Big-ness does not always translate into greatness. Neither does an overt attempt to try and outdo a debut record; that they call the sophmore slump.
Kasabian is a band that wants music to return to the ‘druggy’ era of the 80’s: baggy pants, rave dance clubs, and the like.
Kasabian suffers from both problems on their sophmore record, Empire. The band's ambition is boundless, and so is its attempt at a modern rock epic.
The band hails from Leicester, England, and the British influence is found all over the record. Kasabian directly takes from “mentors” Oasis, Primal Scream, the Stone Roses, and other reknowned British acts.
“Empire,” the title track, is a weak attempt to start the album. With stop-start rhythms and strange harmonies, the song falls flat. The song is the lead single of the album, and has received little or no airplay.
“Apnoea” is total chaos on record. There is no discernible melody and no direction in the song.
Highlights are few and far between, but standout tracks include album closer “The Doberman,” which builds up over the course of five minutes into a noise-rock spectacle, and then explodes and disintegrates to the original single note guitar riff that opens the song.
“Stuntman” is a straightforward dance song, with a catchy synth track and a constant bass-y sound. “Stuntman” would fit in right at home with some Pretty Hate Machine-era Nine Inch Nails, or with some of the dancier Cure songs.
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