• Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Sep 19, 2006
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 20
  2. Negative: 2 out of 20
  1. There's going to be a hearty scrap between this lot, Muse and the Monkeys when album of the year time comes round.
  2. Unlike the calculated, humourless thump of Razorlight, this is stirring, ecstatic and - just sometimes - brilliantly OTT stuff.
  3. Uncut
    80
    Empire arrives with the same frazzled mien as Oasis' What's The Story (Morning Glory); alive with paranoia, delivered with an unshakeable self-belief. It's relentless stuff. [Sep 2006, p.80]
  4. Urb
    80
    There are... some impressivley fresh ideas lurking between the anthemic bits. [Sep 2006, p.137]
  5. Mojo
    80
    For the most part Empire is every bit as powerful as its title suggests. [Oct 2006, p.96]
  6. Q Magazine
    80
    Naysayers may write this off as a derivative mash up of early-'90s indie moves, but on Empire Kasabian have become bigger than the sum of their record collections. [Oct 2006, p.116]
  7. Alternative Press
    80
    Like a primer in recent rock history. [Dec 2006, p.200]
  8. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Empire's swaggering decadence is tiresome near the end, but in smaller doses it's undeniable fun. [22 Sep 2006, p.95]
  9. "Empire" has an almost childlike energy and determination that makes it feel strangely charming.
  10. Under The Radar
    70
    While there’s no doubt the songs from Empire will translate into amazing live shows, the repetitiveness of several tracks wears thin after a while in a less dance-friendly environment. [#15]
  11. It is better than the eponymous debut, although not to the level that their self-satisfaction with it would suggest, and there is still a distinct lack of consistency and a feeling that occasionally while you can see who and what they're aiming at, they miss quite considerably.
  12. Yes, Kasabian's sound is now noticeably fuller and more sophisticated, bolstered by their inspired decision to assimilate Gary Glitter's glam stomp into their heady electro-rock. But this is still a band that too often struggles for tunes to match the chutzpah.
  13. Spin
    60
    Empire constantly changes its focus. [Oct 2006, p.99]
  14. On the whole, it’s a good second step, but hopefully step three is more in line with the shock and awe the first album contained.
  15. 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.
  16. Kasabian can’t do anything besides snarl, a limitation that’s starting to show after only two albums.
  17. It may not be fair to rag on the group for picking the wrong decade to rip off, but right now Kasabian's allegiance to the '90s sounds especially uninspired.
  18. "Empire"... isn't quite as refreshing as its self-titled debut, but it again finds the U.K. quartet strutting off in its own direction, oblivious to the ridiculousness that sometimes characterizes its compulsive bids to be hip.
  19. Rolling Stone
    20
    The second album... is miles worse than their shallow but tasty first, its big-budget production only making its shortcomings more apparent. [21 Sep 2006, p.88]
  20. What we're offered here is pretty much a second take on the discordant beeps, Mani-ripped basslines and lazy hip hop breaks of their first album, with the addition of some hideously nipped and tucked string samples padding out their attempted lyrical bravado.
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 81 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 54 out of 81
  2. Negative: 8 out of 81
  1. Apr 17, 2018
    8
    It's not that bad album, as a huge fan of the band I can say the problem here was the brutal fail in manage the album. After Karloff quit,It's not that bad album, as a huge fan of the band I can say the problem here was the brutal fail in manage the album. After Karloff quit, they released 2 of their best songs and release one crap song before give up of the album. Besides 1 or 2 tracks sucks, the album is awesome and need to be recognized. Full Review »
  2. Feb 8, 2012
    8
    After showing some real potential on their eponymous debut, Kasabian shows signs of further progression on this follow up. It's a veryAfter showing some real potential on their eponymous debut, Kasabian shows signs of further progression on this follow up. It's a very ambitious record with elements of dance thrown in but it's when they are rocking out that this record takes off. The final 2 tracks are really strong. One of the problems with this record was that the band bigged it up a bit too much before it's release a la Oasis and it backfired a bit. Still well worth having in your music collection though. Full Review »
  3. Jan 14, 2012
    3
    accept for the few notable tracks, "Empire", "Shoot The Runner", "Me Plus One" which shows that Kasabian is only wise at choosing singles toaccept for the few notable tracks, "Empire", "Shoot The Runner", "Me Plus One" which shows that Kasabian is only wise at choosing singles to release , this is nothing but crappy, trippy songs Full Review »