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What’s the Story?

Reviewed by Kathi Kamen Goldmark

It's fun to imagine the members of Kasabian returning from a hugely successful world tour, only to hear their mothers complain that they can't understand a word the boys are saying because they mumble. Lyrics, even if they could be understood, don't offer a lot of substance: "Shoot the runner, shoot shoot the runner/I'm a king and she's my queen/Dream again in your way/Always knew that you would/Lose yourself to the scene/Am I only a dream." This is one pretty typical example. But the powerful rhythm section on EMPIRE saves the day, providing the backbone for thickly layered guitar, synthesized string parts, and a lead vocalist who appears to have listened to a lot of Tom Petty records.

Is It Any Good?

3

Empire is a lush and layered collection of grand musical ideas, some of which are spectacular. The only danger is the band's apparent tendency to take itself a little too seriously, allowing all that wonderfully inspired musicianship to come across as pretentious. Even if you can't understand the words, you'll find that the thick, intricate instrumental and rhythmic interplay tells the most interesting story.

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