Kasabian premiere their fifth studio album to 50 super fans at Abbey Road Studios

Kasabian return with an electronic new direction sets to fire up arenas

Kasabian  - 48:13 released on 9^th June 2014 via Columbia 9/10

Three years after the release of their third consecutive number one album Velociraptor! Kasabian are back with their fifth LP 48:13. Named after the full length of the record – a fairly easy guess  ̶  the album was produced by Sergio Pizzorno and touring guitarist Tim Carter. A month ahead from its release, the album was premiered on 1^st May 2014 in front of 50 lucky fans at the legendary Abbey Road Studios. Upon arrival the attendees were directed into a small venue where they were warmly welcomed with a drink of choice while screens were displaying the video of their recent single eez-eh. Shortly after, the whole band appeared on a tiny stage for a brief introduction of the record. “Enjoy the album and get big!” said Pizzorno to the crowd and “Keep your pants on!” jokingly added singer Tom Meighan before the record would start streaming loud.

Opening with the short instrumental intro (shiva), it does not take long for the music to kick off. As soon as the explosive bumblebeee begins, the listener gets a feeling of the whole album: a collection of rowdy and catchy tunes made to fire up the crowds of big arenas with their up-tempo rhythm. Hugely influenced by the electronica of Kanye West’s Yeezus, 48:13 has nonetheless an innovative and distinctive sound which also features elements of Daft Punk and Black Sabbath. A weird combination indeed which seem to work pretty well though. Only half of the tracks still feature electric guitars whereas synths have now a major part. The result is a poppy and psychedelic record  full of experimentation which transports the listener to an ecstatic alien word. Like Kasabian’s self-titled first album, the record alternates instrumental interludes like (mortis) and (levitation) with contagious and aggressive tracks such as clouds, doomsday and the lead single eez-eh. The baritone voice of Tom Meighan is still the main feature, however Pizzorno’s vocals appear in the acoustic glass and bow which is remindful of Nirvana. Towards the end the album slows down to conclude with s.p.s, a mellow ballad reminiscent of Hey Jude by The Beatles and Cigarettes & Alcohol by Oasis. With 48:13 Kasabian have taken a new direction which might disappoint a few old fans but that will surely impress the majority of the rest.

9/10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ST6nEvIEY4s
Track list: (shiva) bumblebeee
stevie (mortis) domsday
treat glass
explodes (levitation) clouds
eez-eh
bow s.p.s.
http://www.kasabian.co.uk/  

COMMENTS