Their attitudes leading up to the album may have not been the meekest, boasting such claims as, “It’s been 15 or 16 years since the last truly classic album, but I think we’ve done it,” (Guitarist Sergio Pizzorno) however, English rock band Kasabian may have had some right to say so. Their fourth album, Velociraptor!, is like a classic soundtrack, in fact it’s like a movie.
The first track, “Let’s Roll Just Like We Used To,” sets the tone with a Gong, and a very Indiana Jones-esque trumpet fanfare, then the song continues as a 60’s style James Bond movie; complete with old Aston Martins and small Asian hat throwers. The album continues with the movie theme in “Days Are Forgotten,” which begins with a 70’s sci-fi sound, and what seems like a cowboys and Indians style theme. More cinematic themes continue, a few Beatles nods, and more throwbacks ensue, while at the same time maintaining a classic Kasabian sound.
Similarly to a movie, Velociraptor! is very hard to jump in the middle of it and be able to appreciate it as much as you would listening from the beginning. For the most part, it isn’t an album where you can jump to track 7, there are no stand outs as singles, its a record where it is much better listened to as a whole.
Overall, Velociraptor! is a fun and very British album to listen to, the lead singer couldn’t be more British sounding if he were Queen Elizabeth. It doesn’t have the pace that “West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum” had, and at times it gets a little trippy, but it keeps your attention and manages to put out a unique album.
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