Kasabian

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The influences of Kasabian’s self-titled debut album are clear from the outset, “Processed Beats” is the Stone Roses song that never was and “Reason is Treason” would sit comfortably in Primal Scream’s Vanishing Point. Kasabian is a bass-heavy album that merges indie rock with dance floor beats and modern electronic sounds. BBC Review ---------- "Our job is to keep the trendy perplexed" state Kasabian, Leicester's biggest export since Englebert Humperdinck. But while the trendy may be scratching their heads, Kasabian know exactly why they're here. "Britain needs a new band to breathe life into it again", and apparently they're the band for the job. Given the enormous hype and expectation since the band announced their plans for world domination, maybe it really is time for a shift. So how are this self confessed stoner band going to give British music the "kick up the arse" it apparently needs? Well, apparently art-school 80's indie is out and we're ready to start edging into the early 90's... Kasabian is a microcosm of the whole Madchester scene in one album. All the key players are there, although perhaps most notably The Stone Roses and Happy Mondays. Additionally, Primal Scream have been cited as a major influence to the band, and it's blindingly obvious. Tracks like "Butcher Blues" will have you reminiscing fondly of the blissed out warmth of Screamadelica whilst "Reason is Treason" and "U Boat" are steeped heavily in the electronic violence of the Scream's more recent material. Tracks such as "Club Foot" and "Processed Beats" are utterly danceable as the throbbing bass takes precedence over guitars, a technique more than ably stolen from their hero -Roses and Primals bassist, Mani. There's also a swagger emerging through the haze of smoke, mostly generated by flamboyant frontman Tom Meigham's vocals. But whilst there is much talk of how their live performances bristle with explosive menace and energy, listening to Kasabian will ultimately leave you feeling uplifted and gratified rather than in the mood to t the place. Given their current reliance on the heroes of yesteryear, Kasabian may need to do more to truly make their mark. But given their dogged determination to do what's right for British music -via an exemplary array of influences -you can't help but think they'll succeed. --Kate Lawrence Find more music at the BBC ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/syn//albumreviews/-/music/ ) This link will take you off in a new window