Kasabian Stay Big on 48:13

Kasabian Stay Big on 48:13

When Tom Meighan and Sergio Pizzorno heard “I Wanna Be Adored” for the first time, their brains must have turned into pools of ecstatic goo. Everything their band, Kasabian, has done since their breakout 2004 self-titled debut has been about reaching for the biggest of everything, the hugest hooks, bombastic personalities, the strongest drugs, the stuff of rock gods. Mad ambition is their thing, always swinging with everything they have.

Their latest album, 48:13, follows that ambition to its logical end, with some songs reaching those Stone Roses and Primal Scream heights, and a small minority arriving with a thud. A massive synth rock sound builds from silence on opening overture “Shiva” and comes roaring to life on “Bumblebee,” a stadium slayer with gargantuan “Hey!”s and a trippy, wandering vocal melody from Meighan that inspires head rolling – not head banging, mind you, but an oozing psychedelic call to action.

The problem with the minute-long “Shiva” is its inspiration for other half-songs on the album, like “Mortis” and “Levitation,” that don't amount to much. They don't flow into their successors with the same power and instead come off as lackadaisical filler. Kasabian is better than these songs, and their chops are on display on “Treat” – which features a synth line that plays like a beefed up version of 50 Cent's “In Da Club” – and “Bow,” a contemplative dance floor filler which brings to mind a good version of mid-period Linkin Park, with a groovy breakdown and synthetic sleigh bells proving strong companions.

But the crown jewel of 48:13 is album closer “SPS,” an end-of-the-party comedown that sounds like a Rolling Stones cover by melancholy-era Beck. Slide guitar and restrained keys sound like the sun is coming up. People are passed out on the floor, half-drunk bottles perilously close to spilling on the carpet next to them. Meighan is one of the few still awake, bleary-eyed but triumphant, having had a wonderful time. He feels bittersweet about the moment, mentioning the fleeting nature of time, but he's glad he experienced it nonetheless. It's a mature, halfway sober look back at immature, not at all sober behavior from a band that has filled its glass to the brim and shotgunned it time and again. 

Kasabian's new album, 48:13, is available now on iTunes, Google Play, and in stores.

Pop Star Taylor Dayne Redeems Star Status with New Single and Motherhood

Pop Star Taylor Dayne Redeems Star Status with New Single and Motherhood

Singer and songwriter, Taylor Dayne may have been M.I.A. for a while now yet her tenacious spirit proves to the world that she still has what it takes to reach higher heights in her singing career. And her new single, Dreaming, is putting Taylor Dayne right back where she belongs: to the top of the charts. “I wrote the song three years ago,” she explained. “It was officially released a few days ago, so I am pretty excited about that.”
 

Although Taylor Dayne has received worldwide fame during the years as singer and songwriter, just like any other celebrity; she has decided to take a break from the spotlight and focus on life’s little treasures: friends and family. “Right now, I live in Los Angeles. It is known as the entertainment capital, so my life is pretty balanced, thus far. It is conducive to what I need to do as a mother and entertainer.” She resumed. “I have great friends who are very loving and supportive towards me and what I do.”

To the world, Taylor Dayne is known as one of the most talented singers in the music diversion, but she is more than what others perceive her to be, especially when she is not entertaining millions of fans. “Yes, I am a singer and songwriter, but I have other talents that not too many people know about. When I am not on the road, I like to study different people and things. I can’t really explain why; it’s just something that interests me and I like to cook, too. Also, I am interested in learning more about television production.”

Taylor Dayne may have been a fan of pop music since childhood, but other musical genres makes her dance and snap her fingers as well, such as rap and rhythm-and-blues music. “If given the chance, I would like to work with [Dr. Dre], Justin Timberlake and [Charlie Wilson]. Those guys are very talented in the singing and songwriting area,” she concluded, leaving the interview to a close as she gets ready to do what she does best: give one heck of a performance.

For more information, you can reach Taylor Dayne @Taylor_Dayne on twitter, therealTaylorDayne on Face book, TaylorDayne7 on Instagram and www.taylordayne.com
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Dana Rettig - Culture & Lifestyle Blogger