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.

Calvin Harris - Lollapalooza After Party Reminscing

Calvin Harris - Lollapalooza After Party Reminscing

The summer wouldn't be complete without Lollapalooza. It will no doubt go down as one of the best in recent years. One of the most memorable acts to hit the Lolla stage was Calvin Harris. He not only had festivalgoers at Lolla dancing but he kept it going at his official Lollapalooza after party at Studio Paris. 

**Above Image Courtesy of Jon Mathias**

This excited editor had a chance to witness the DJ mastermind that is Calvin Harris at the Official Lollapalooza After Party and by no means did he disappoint. From the retractable rooftop at Studio Paris showcasing the Chicago Skyline, to the crazy light show, it had all the makings of a superstar performance. Celebrities even made appearances to party with what is undoubtedly the "it" guy in music right now.

Calvin Harris has become one of the biggest DJ’s in the world and has had a whirlwind last two years. Born in Scotland, Calvin Harris began creating his own electronic music in his teens. Eventually, like so many other musicians, he began promoting his music via social media in hopes of catching his big break. Eventually he caught the eye of a representative from major record label EMI in 2006. His keen eye for unique sounds as well as writing and producing made him a force to be reckoned with.

Along with releasing his own album he began writing and producing for artists like Kylie Minogue, All saints and Kelis. Undoubtedly, the 2012 release of his third solo album “18 Months” was his breakout album. The acclaimed album was filled with collaborations with the likes of hit makers like Ellie Goulding, Rihanna and Ne-Yo. He also took the chance and even did vocals for his now infamous track “Summer”. Calvin Harris was making waves and the world was finally taking notice. Not only are fans lining up to see him but other music artists are rushing to collaborate with him. He is by far one of the most world-renowned DJ’s in electronic dance music today and if his airplay isn’t proof enough, in 2013 he was named the highest-earning DJ by Forbes raking in over $46 million dollars.

The amazing space of Studio Paris in downtown Chicago was the place to be for the official Lolla after party. After a crazy set in Grant Park, Calvin Harris partied the night away with a few lucky Chicagoans August 2nd. Calvin Harris hit the Studio Paris stage at around midnight to a sold out show. From the start you could feel the intensity of the crowd. Calvin played all his hits from this summers anthem “Summer” to the ever-popular “Sweet Nothing” and “We found love”. You know you’re a legitimate star when the crowd knows ever word to your songs. And this crowd did. Calvin Harris played homage to his fellow EDM dj’s such as Swedish House Mafia by mixing some of their more popular tracks. The feeling inside Studio Paris was in one word, electrifying. Everyone was having a blast and everyone was dancing. For this huge fan, it was a definite treat to get to see this man live.

While so much music today has negative connotations, EDM, electronic dance music, has taken on a life of it’s own due to its positive and carefree nature. As a self described EDM fanatic, it was amazing getting to witness one of the best dj’s of our time perform the night away under the perfect summer night sky. Calvin Harris is the real deal and if you get a chance to see him live, take it. He’ll be gracing the stage for a long time to come and I for one am very thankful for that and so is the music industry.