Empire＜完全生産限定盤/Red Vinyl＞

UKロックの絶対的王者=カサビアン 2006年リリースの2ndアルバム『Empire』

UKロックの絶対的王者=カサビアンが、 2006年にリリースした2ndアルバム『Empire』がレッド・カラー・ヴァイナルで登場。これまでは10インチ・アナログ盤2枚組では発売されていたが、今回初の12インチ・アナログ盤化となる。ダブル・プラチナ認定を受けたこのアルバムは、UK1位を獲得し、「Shoot The Runner」「Empire」「Me Plus One」等、主要なトラックが収録。

Practicing truth in advertising, U.K. rockers Kasabian move away from the revolutionary sleeve art that graced their debut and onto something more ornate for their elaborate follow-up album, Empire. Attacking the sophomore jinx head-on, Empire tries hard to be urgent, epic, and important, and the grand mishmash of influences -- the Chemical Brothers, Primal Scream, the Beatles, and the Rolling Stones -- is delivered with all the conviction and swagger one desires from the scruffy crew with the Oasis-sized ego. Adding to this jumble are Sweet, Slade, and Ian Brown, who are all equally responsible for the opening title cut. Glammed-up rebel music, "Empire" is a satisfying, busy rocker that gives way to the interesting rave-up "Shoot the Runner," which would be very T. Rex if it wasn't for the Euro-disco Giorgio Moroder-styled bridge. From here 'til the album's final stretch, twists, turns, and time changes are in abundance and imagination runs wild as Brit-pop smokes a hookah and sits on a multicolored toadstool. Lost in all this is the instantly grabbing songwriting of Kasabian's debut, and to some extent, the bandmembers themselves, who often seem to be riding this swirl instead of guiding it. They regain control right about "By My Side," a memorable, lush tune that suggests what it would sound like if James Bond film themes had proper B-sides. The winding "Stuntman" is as ambitious as anything else here but the pieces all fall into place for a change, and by the time the perfect, slowly developing closer "The Doberman" rolls around, this unapproachable effort has sort of explained itself and even seduced a little. Repeat listens help put things in place, and a familiarity with the band helps a lot, so go to their much more focused debut for the real punch, then come here when you want something bigger but not necessarily better. ~ David Jeffries

2004年の〈サマソニ〉ではアルバム・デビュー前にも関わらず、入場規制になるほどの観客を集めたという伝説を持つ彼ら。エラく型破りなファースト・アルバムに続く2年ぶりの新作は、不機嫌な破壊的暗黒ビートで攻めるエレクトロ・ノイズと生音の融合はそのままに、アコギやストリングス、果てはトランペットで味付けしたドラマティックな展開を披露。〈さらに我が道を開拓した!〉と高笑いする彼らの姿が目に浮かぶ出来です!
bounce (C)加藤 直子