While there's lots to admire in this clearing of the creative pipes, 48:13 is ultimately proof that great albums are all about the numbers. [Jul 2014, p.98]
Songwriter/producer Sergio Pizzorno opted for a more slimmed-down sound, stripping away layers of sound to allow the ideas to speak more clearly.... It’s a brave but largely successful move, as is the shift from mainly guitar-riff-based songs to ones predominantly fuelled by synthesisers.
The album is a lean, mean machine of singalong revolution songs and baggy jeans dance music from folks old enough to be wearing fitted by now, but the hunger to survive and flourish is as palpable as it was on their debut.
It’s not a brilliant record, but if there’s good one thing to be said about 48:13, it's that it sounds like a band coming to terms with who they are and who they’re making music for, tossing pretense aside, and concentrating on being themselves.
Besides the offenses to Kasabian discography (yeah, eez-eh and glass, i'm talking about you) 48:!3 it's a ambition that works and deliverBesides the offenses to Kasabian discography (yeah, eez-eh and glass, i'm talking about you) 48:!3 it's a ambition that works and deliver amazing tracks to fans. The concept it's pure genius.…Expand
Not really their most successful album, but it is still a good effort. With the exception of eez-eh, everything else is fine. For example,Not really their most successful album, but it is still a good effort. With the exception of eez-eh, everything else is fine. For example, bumblebeee has a pretty catchy tune. So, all in all - it is a good album, but not as good as their previous ones.…Expand
48:13 succeeds at sounding stylish and modern without discarding Kasabian's rock 'n' roll roots, with the exception of tracks such as eez-eh.48:13 succeeds at sounding stylish and modern without discarding Kasabian's rock 'n' roll roots, with the exception of tracks such as eez-eh. Tracks that stand out include Bumblebee, Stevie and Clouds. It may not be the best Kasabian album but it sure is a hit.…Expand
Kasabians 5th offering consists of a handful of great tracks, some pointless interludes (practically quarter of the tracks) and some tracksKasabians 5th offering consists of a handful of great tracks, some pointless interludes (practically quarter of the tracks) and some tracks that are simply an exercise in treading water. If this album came earlier in their career I might have been more impressed but as it is I've heard Kasabian do this kind of thing in better ways up to now. Too often tracks start out sounding like great ideas but go nowhere in particular and leave me a bored 2 minutes in. Opener proper, "Bumblebee", is a mentaller of a tune, as good as anything they've done before. Lead single "Eez-Eh" has lyrics that take a while to get over and into but catches after a while. This could be Kasabian's jump the shark moment. All in all, I reckon this album has put them under serious pressure to deliver for album number 6 or they risk disappearing.…Expand
Kasabian's 5th full length album "48:13" marked the 10 year anniversary of their self titled debut and although the band have certainly subtlyKasabian's 5th full length album "48:13" marked the 10 year anniversary of their self titled debut and although the band have certainly subtly evolved since then with albums such as 'West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum' (2009) and 'Velociraptor!' (2011) whether they have improved is another question.
Opening with the short introduction track 'Shiva', there is clear electronic influences displayed, influences which have always been a part of Kasabian's sound throughout the past 10 years. This track flows awfully unnaturally into the heavy rocker 'Bumblebee' and although the track itself isn't bad the unnatural flow of tracks shown here is something which annoyingly appears on many occasions throughout this album.
Largely it is an inconsistent album in terms of quality. There are examples of some of the best things Kasabian have done like 'Stevie', the infectious groove of 'Treat' and lead single 'Eez-Zeh' which although somewhat silly, is a definite grower. In contrast to this, the tracks 'Doomsday' and 'Glass' in particular lyrically are awful and the less said about the half-arsed foray into r&b the better.
In general this album is far from awful but is equally far from great and on the whole displays how Kasabian are a band who are seemingly more at home on stage rather than in the studio.…Expand
I respect Kasabian for opting to change their style; always a brave move in the modern industry. Whether they've pulled it off however, isI respect Kasabian for opting to change their style; always a brave move in the modern industry. Whether they've pulled it off however, is perhaps up for debate. Musically, the album is very good and much more electronic in style than their previous material. Lyrically however it's average in places. Take "everyday is brutal, now we're being watched by Google" as your example. Like all Kasabian albums, the singles are selected well. 'Bumblebee' and 'Stevie' are two of the strongest on the album. However, this time around, 'Eez-eh' is not up to that standard, along with the filler tracks lurking around the middle. This style is perhaps the start of a new Kasabian who'll achieve even bigger things in years to come, however I don't think it's quite there at the moment. Still, not a bad effort. I look forward to their next release.…Expand
