Kasabian's mix of electronica and psychedelic rock is on full display on their third CD, "West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum."

Comparisons to Primal Scream and The Stone Roses have followed Kasabian since the release of their 2004 debut. Ably blending rock hooks with layered electronics, Kasabian's sound can definitely be described as, well, primal.

What stands out are the poetically charged vocals of frontman Tom Meighan, who has never been shy about touting his band's chops and offers plenty of innuendo about everything from sex and stardom to drug use and its inevitable come down. "Underdog" opens the disc with fist-pumping electronics (as Meighan boasts "Kill me if you can") before sliding into the trippy and pulsating "Where Did All The Love Go."

"Fast Fuse" is all fuzzed-out cockiness, "Take Aim" hits a tight groove with dirty acoustic guitars, and "West Ryder Silver Bullet" offers lush orchestration floating over a simple rhythm. "Secret Alphabets" manages to rock behind sweeping atmospherics, "Fire" alternates between minimal acoustic guitars and funk-rock swagger, and disc closer "Happiness" builds into a gospel-choir spiritual.

Unwise comparisons may follow Kasabian, but these lads from Leicester are proving a singular force to be reckoned with.

JOHN KOSIK
Associated Press Writer

Image © PR Photos

© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.