My #10 All-Time Favorite Album: Kasabian by Kasabian

KASABIAN is an English alternative rock band, and their 2004 debut release, also titled KASABIAN, is my #10 all-time favorite album.  I first heard their first American hit single from it, Club Foot, while listening to my favorite radio station at the time, 100.5/WHHZ "The Buzz"...they were Gainesville's only alternative rock broadcasters.  Although I didn't care for that song as much, I began to notice this very creative and talented band when the next track L.S.F. (Lost Souls Forever) begin to get airplay and I saw its video on YouTube.  Then came Reason is Treason, another song from the album: Kasabian was definitely a new favorite of mine.  They stay true to their rock n' roll roots with the guitar and drums strong on their songs, but they also are fearless with the keyboard and instrumental backgrounds.  For this first album the band consisted of songwriter Sergio Pizzorno, who also did backup vocals and guitar, and wrote all of the lyrics.  Chris Karloff, who would leave Kasabian during their recording of the next album, co-wrote some of the music and was also on guitar.  Chris Edwards was bassist and Ian Matthews drummer.  The group's front man was Tom Meighan, who would be asked to leave Kasabian in 2020 after he allegedly beat up his fiancée.  The two eventually married, but Kasabian goes on without him or his trademark voice.  But in 2004, Meighan's imprint was everywhere and although probably not the best singer in the world, like the Stones' Mick Jagger, you kind of liked it anyway somehow.  Here are my listings of the tracks from the album Kasabian, in the order of my preference...you can hear them on YouTube:

1 REASON IS TREASON

2 TEST TRANSMISSION

3 L.S.F. (LOST SOULS FOREVER)

4 PROCESSED BEATS

5 BUTCHER BLUES

6 RUNNING BATTLE

7 I.D.

8 CUT OFF

9 CLUB FOOT

10 OVARY STRIPE

11 U BOAT

There is an alternate Reason is Treason version on the U Boat track, about three minutes after that song ends.  Ovary Stripe is purely instrumental, as are the two brief tracks Orange and Pinch Roller.  At this writing Kasabian has come out with seven studio albums, each with at least one really good song, and Switchblade Smiles from their Velociraptor album is my #2 all-time favorite song.  But their debut work, in my opinion, is the best: great from start to finish.  Sergio Pizzorno has been the creative genius behind this band, operating...at least until Meighan's departure...in the background much like The Who's Pete Townshend.  Hopefully, Kasabian will be around a long time to come...but I'm content with what they've produced so far...

Next week: Album #9...