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Product Description
Review
It's been 15 or 16 years since the last truly classic album, but I think we've done it, Serge Pizzorno claims of Velociraptor!, which is exactly the kind of bullish boasting which, along with their boorish interviews and boozy gang attitude, have made it easy to pigeonhole Kasabian as the Leicestershire Oasis. This is unfortunate, as their actual music has always been much more interesting and eclectic. From the start, their ease with club beats and electronica suggested that - unlike the Gallaghers - they had some awareness of which decade they were in. And while Oasis became duller and more conservative with each new record, Kasabian have - so far - grown more adventurous.
June's teaser single, Switchblade Smiles, certainly suggested that Velociraptor! would take up where 2009's West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum left off - completely out there, and completely off its face. A remarkably uncompromising opening salvo, it begins as a dreamily buzzing Eastern mantra, before a dinosaur-sized dance beat crashes in and the song spends the next few minutes zig-zagging wildly between club stomper and blissed-out space rock.
Fortunately for fans fearing Kasabian have completely left Planet Rock, the rest of the album plays it safer, shifting restlessly between growling garage and psychedelic reveries. Days Are Forgotten is built on a filthy delta blues riff, and boasts a trademark vowel-murdering, stadium-shaking chorus. For sheer catchiness, it's only rivalled by the splendidly silly title-track, with its grimy guitars, absurd lyrics and air-punching chorus. Festival-goers should learn the words "Velociraptor / He gonna find ya / He gonna kill ya / He gonna eat ya" now: you'll be hearing them a lot next year.
Of the slower songs, the meandering Acid Turkish Bath (Shelter from the Storm) revisits the Eastern influences of Switchblade Smiles but dredges up unpleasant memories of Kula Shaker, while Goodbye Kiss is agreeable but unremarkable, sounding like a cast-off from Alex Turner's understated Submarine soundtrack. Far, far lovelier is the closing Neon Noon, a reverb-drenched slow-burner which intertwines analogue electro, acoustic guitars, sighing strings and a subdued, mournful melody. It may be the first genuinely moving Kasabian song, a truly welcome new development.
Velociraptor! is neither the classic Pizzorno insists it is, nor the numbskull stadium rock cynics will presume it is. It sounds like a band still uncertain of exactly where they want to be, but determined to make the way there interesting.
--Jaime Gill
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CD Description
The follow-up to the acclaimed West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum, Velociraptor! was recorded in Leicester and mixed in San Francisco. Written and produced by Sergio Pizzorno, Velociraptor! is a major leap forward from Britain’s biggest band.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Another fantastic album from the new kings of rock. Just like their last album 'West Ryder..' this one slowly grows on you then attacks you with venom. At first I was underwhelmed, but after several plays the songs are just irresistible. Some of the melodies and rhythms sound reminiscent without quite being able to out my finger on it, but hey, so what, there is very little left that is completely original in rock! To me Kasabian are like a sort of mash up of Oasis, Primal Scream, Stone Roses, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, all sprinkled with a soupcon of Kraftwerk. Man, what's not to like?!
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Most people probably fall into one of two categories they are either Kasabian mad and at least have every album, or only recognise the name and associate them with one or two songs. Like the prior albums fans will love it, whilst those new to Kasabian may need give some of the tracks a little time before they grow. Velociraptor! is a diverse album, for example 'I Hear Voices', 'Switchblade Smiles' and 'Goodbye Kiss' are all so different one or two people can be forgiven for thinking they are not sung by the same band. Although the album may not be for everyone it is well worth listening to tracks from this and others, you may be surprised to find just how many you know.
17 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Kasabian return with album number 4 the weirdly titled "Velociraptor", so it should come as no surprise that this is one of Kasabian's most ambitious albums to date, not bad for a band that has seen lazy journalism call Kasabian, Oasis clones and labelled them lad rock. While Kasabian might share some of Oasis confidence and swagger their music has always been more closely linked to Primal Scream, Happy Mondays, The Stone Roses and even 70's glam rock. A quick look back at their 3 previous albums would show a band not scared to experiment with different styles and sounds.
The album opens with "Let's Roll Like We Used To" which sees songwriter Serge Pizzorno looking back at the early days before they made it big. It's a good start to the album. On "Days Are Forgotten" the track starts off with some big beats and a funky groove and has Tom cheekily singing "You say i'm old hat, a f***in' dirty rat, call me cliche, how right you are", which is a nice dig at their critics. There's the brilliance of the Beatles-esque sounding "La Fée Verte" which is sung by Pizzorno. Add that to Kraftwerk sounding "I Hear Voices" and it shows that Kasabian are willing to experiment in as many styles of music as possible.
The title track "Velociraptor!" is a big sounding stomp that has Tom spitting out his lyric's, not to many bands could pull off a song about a dinosaur with out sounding stupid. There's the epic "Acid Turkish Bath (Shelter from the Storm)" which at over 6 minutes long sounds like Kashmir era Led Zeppelin. The album features two big tracks that are made for playing live the brilliant "Re-Wired" with its big chorus and the beat driven "Switchblade Smiles" a song that won't full be appreciated until it's played live.
With the deluxe edition you get the full near 2 hour show from the O2 in Dublin, Ireland from November 2009 on region free DVD, it's mixed in full surround as well. The Deluxe Edition comes in a white box set and contains the lyrics of all the tracks as well as poster of the black artwork of the album. One drawback of the white is that it marks really easy so it's best to handle with care!
With every album kasabian seem to make another stride musically, and "Velociraptor!" is no exception. For a band that talk big and don't lack confidence it's important they back it up strong musically and with "Velociraptor!" they certainly do. This could be the album that takes Kasabian from the arenas to Stadium Headliners!
The album opens with "Let's Roll Like We Used To" which sees songwriter Serge Pizzorno looking back at the early days before they made it big. It's a good start to the album. On "Days Are Forgotten" the track starts off with some big beats and a funky groove and has Tom cheekily singing "You say i'm old hat, a f***in' dirty rat, call me cliche, how right you are", which is a nice dig at their critics. There's the brilliance of the Beatles-esque sounding "La Fée Verte" which is sung by Pizzorno. Add that to Kraftwerk sounding "I Hear Voices" and it shows that Kasabian are willing to experiment in as many styles of music as possible.
The title track "Velociraptor!" is a big sounding stomp that has Tom spitting out his lyric's, not to many bands could pull off a song about a dinosaur with out sounding stupid. There's the epic "Acid Turkish Bath (Shelter from the Storm)" which at over 6 minutes long sounds like Kashmir era Led Zeppelin. The album features two big tracks that are made for playing live the brilliant "Re-Wired" with its big chorus and the beat driven "Switchblade Smiles" a song that won't full be appreciated until it's played live.
With the deluxe edition you get the full near 2 hour show from the O2 in Dublin, Ireland from November 2009 on region free DVD, it's mixed in full surround as well. The Deluxe Edition comes in a white box set and contains the lyrics of all the tracks as well as poster of the black artwork of the album. One drawback of the white is that it marks really easy so it's best to handle with care!
With every album kasabian seem to make another stride musically, and "Velociraptor!" is no exception. For a band that talk big and don't lack confidence it's important they back it up strong musically and with "Velociraptor!" they certainly do. This could be the album that takes Kasabian from the arenas to Stadium Headliners!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Each track grows and worms it's way into your head. Arghhh!
I'm a Kasabian convert due to my wife - she loves them and plays their stuff incessantly. I was drawn in and captivated by the Asylum album which has a plethora of superb... Read more
Published 6 days ago by subject2status
Awesome dinosaur theme
Have been listening to this every day since buying it. Love it. And the dinosaur theme has the boys hooked.
Published 1 month ago by beedo
OK but nothing special
This is a disappointing affair compared to their previous very good albums. With the exceptio of about 2-3 tracks its all a bit well... meh.
Published 1 month ago by Mr. Scott David Baikie
A big leap forward
I bought this CD after seeing the band perform on a TV chat show: they only played one track but it was interesting enough to take a chance on the album and I'm glad I did. Read more
Published 1 month ago by A. E. Hardman
Trippy Miscellany
Velociraptor is a bit of a slow burner. It takes several listens to truly unveil itself as the very very good album it is. Read more
Published 2 months ago by P. G. Harris
very very clever album... BUY
firstly its a fiver. secondly it sounds on first listen like a compilation album of about 5 different artists. Only the vocals give away that its not. Read more
Published 2 months ago by JrF
Brilliant album
I had bought the last two Kasabian albums and thought I would take a chance with this album and I'm glad I did. This is a fantastic album.
Published 3 months ago by Sean Barnes
Must have album
I love this album, unlike a lot of albums all the tracks sound different and they're all really good. It's hard to stop listening too and I would definitely recommend buying this.
Published 3 months ago by sailgirl
great album
Says it all in the title, love the album! Some great tracks not a bad one on it, ssome quiet ones and some to really turn up the volume.
Published 4 months ago by Mr. P. Bunyan
Great!
Really enjoyed this album,.. Top british record over the last few years. Solid modern rock plus some tasteful experimentation.
Cant wait for the next album
Cant wait for the next album
Published 4 months ago by Nomad in Caledonia
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