GENRE hopping Lad rock icons Kasabian are back with heir sixth studio album For Crying Out Loud. The self-proclaimed saviors of guitar music have been a dominant force in Brit Rock for the best part of 15 years, filling arenas up and down the country, seeing their stock rise to festival headliners and one of the most animated live bands on the circuit.

Far from pioneers of their trade, the northerners flirt with the bizarre and at times, tempt fate with insincerity). However they once again prove their prowess in churning out pint tossing arena bangers, swaggering their way through resounding chorus’ ready for a lager inspired knees up.

If you are not a fan of Kasabian, this isn’t the album that is going to change your mind about them. It’s sounds distinctly ‘Kasabian’ and although in recent years electronic textures have dominated their sound, they have marked their return to simpler structures and indie rock sensibilities.

Revealing that he wrote the album in just six weeks, principal songwriter Serge Pizzorno knows simple and infectious hooks are a winning formula and Kasabian have again compiled an album bursting with big drops, massive chorus’ and haveticked all the boxes their loyal following crave.

Ill Ray (The King) gets the album off to a strong start. The arrogant delivery and driving rhythm of the verse leads into a soaring chorus, it is animated, playful indie at its best.
Lead single ‘You’re In Love With A Psycho’ is next. An unremarkable, if infectious romp that seems a bit out of place sandwiched in between two up-tempo anthems.

It’s an album that has its moments. Tracks like Comeback Kid and Twentyfourseven will no doubt be essentials in their live set while penultimate track ‘Bless The Acid House’ bleeds cartoon rock fun, bold, anthemic and a tad corny.

However, as a whole it feels a bit disjointed. The album lacks flow and consistency and goes a bit stale after a few listens. They are a band known more for their live shows than studio output and that isn’t about to change with For Crying Out Loud. It oozes wit, charm and like the rest of their output, stays well within their comfort zone.  A solid, if unremarkable effort from Leicester’s favourite sons that will flourish in a live setting but does little to inspire another listen.