Empire
by Kasabian
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Sep 19, 2006
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 81 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 54 out of 81
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 81
  3. Negative: 8 out of 81

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  1. JuanEngel_
    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, 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.
  2. Ricko
    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 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 aAfter 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.… Collapse
  3. MKCyrax
    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 to release , this is nothing but crappy, trippy songs
  4. MarcoB
    Jul 1, 2007
    8
    after only buying it couple of days ago, i believe it is one those album u hav to listen to over and over. It gradually grows on u and next thing u know ur frothing at the mouth with excitement when u hear it on the radio. So far empire, sun rise light flies, and british legion have had that effect on me. Tbh, when i first got black holes and revelations by muse and sam's town by the after only buying it couple of days ago, i believe it is one those album u hav to listen to over and over. It gradually grows on u and next thing u know ur frothing at the mouth with excitement when u hear it on the radio. So far empire, sun rise light flies, and british legion have had that effect on me. Tbh, when i first got black holes and revelations by muse and sam's town by the killers (best band out there!!) i felt the same, and all it took was listening to the album a cupla times before i simply fell weak at the knees with excitement whenever i listened to them. All you Kasabian haters don't be so quik to judge, sit down relax, and fire up Empire (the album) till your ears bleed. You will begin to appreciate.… Expand
  5. MichelleK
    Apr 13, 2007
    9
    This is a great album. You can tell Kasabian worked pretty hard on moving from their great debut. can't believe some of the reviews on here to be honest. One of the best British bands out there. Best Tracks: The Doberman, Shoot The Runner, Sun Rise Light Flies, Empire, British Legion
  6. JulianW
    Mar 3, 2007
    2
    Too much bravado, not enough substance.
  7. ReviewBoy15
    Jan 26, 2007
    8
    This album does three things brilliantly for me: 1 : It combines old style, almost 80's style music, with new hard-hitting indie-rock to masterous effects. 2 : I was thrilled when another reviewer (John M) pointed out that it is a "grower". Because that is the perfect way of describing it. Songs become Anthems after several listens. 3 : Their songs contrast eachother perfectly. If This album does three things brilliantly for me: 1 : It combines old style, almost 80's style music, with new hard-hitting indie-rock to masterous effects. 2 : I was thrilled when another reviewer (John M) pointed out that it is a "grower". Because that is the perfect way of describing it. Songs become Anthems after several listens. 3 : Their songs contrast eachother perfectly. If you want an original take on modern indie then this is just the ticket.… Expand
  8. JohnP
    Jan 5, 2007
    4
    After seeing the band 2 times and listening to the debut CD a zillon times I felt like an expectant father when I heard of the release date for Empire. Unfortunatley it was more a miscarriage than a birth.
  9. kvan33
    Dec 22, 2006
    6
    Not horrible, but a disappointment compared to their previous album. None of the songs are really amazing and the whole album insn't very inspired.
  10. KateB
    Nov 14, 2006
    9
    I don't know what's got into some of the critics, but I reckon this is a great album. It uses a style using classical features which is different to a lot of the stuff around at the moment. Songs like Stuntman and By My Side are quite relaxing, in contrast to Shoot the Runner and Empire.
  11. JohnM
    Oct 18, 2006
    8
    A real 'grower'; terrific songs emerge after half a dozen listens.
  12. DecepticonPom
    Oct 17, 2006
    7
    Pretty bloody good.
  13. JTDMan
    Oct 16, 2006
    9
    Great album - almost as good as the first - could get better with more listens.
  14. JoelV
    Oct 9, 2006
    8
    great album more mature. there first album was more like attacking you when listening to it. Empire is getting bad reviews but its a different sound people just need to adapt to the new kasabian.
  15. MihaiV
    Sep 30, 2006
    8
    Since the first one sucked, this was a pleasent surpise for me. In fact the reviews are pretty good, but for the 2 big haters: rollingstone and playlouder.
  16. disappointedfan
    Sep 27, 2006
    4
    this almost ruined my day
  17. ChrisP
    Sep 25, 2006
    4
    Agree with most- this is a step down. Sounds overproduced and that they tried to make a more meanigful, draker, edgier, groundbreaking cd that the first and it fails. The energy, fun, and pure techno rock of 1st CD is gone- go listen to POP by U2, a far better album and an obvious influence on this one-0 Kasabian needs to go back to basics
  18. PeteF
    Sep 23, 2006
    4
    This album was a real dissapointmentto me. I think their debut LP was much more interesting
  19. joris
    Sep 23, 2006
    7
    The single Empire is one of the best tunes I heard in a long way, had high expectations on the cd but the tracks are a bit letting down. Sounds too much Primal Scream to me.
  20. Ben
    Sep 22, 2006
    6
    I agree with the person who said the album had great production but weak songs. That being said, the first and last songs are pretty damn good.
  21. SteveM
    Sep 21, 2006
    9
    Great album from a great band. I love their style. There's something irresistably catchy about Kasabian.
  22. Tom
    Sep 21, 2006
    8
    This band makes a lot more sense if you see them live. They are blinding.
  23. Colleen
    Sep 20, 2006
    9
    What do you want? It's a great psychedelic glam record. Based significantly more in 60's kaleidoscope cultrue and 70's hedonism than 1988 Madchester (although those Mondays' influences still shrine through). It's an exciting listen and fine record from one of the UK's most intriguing exports in recent years.
  24. DavidS
    Sep 20, 2006
    5
    Great production! Terrible songs! All style and no substance! Noel must be snorting snow because this band is horrendous!
  25. AlexF
    Sep 20, 2006
    8
    I don't think this album is groundbreaking by any means, but I enjoy it very much. Why some are faulted for wearing their influences on their sleeve, while others are praised for amalgamating the styles of different bands/genres, is beyond me. Especially, as it really isn't a carbon copy of any other bands (not even Primal Scream, as others indicate). It seems many are ready to I don't think this album is groundbreaking by any means, but I enjoy it very much. Why some are faulted for wearing their influences on their sleeve, while others are praised for amalgamating the styles of different bands/genres, is beyond me. Especially, as it really isn't a carbon copy of any other bands (not even Primal Scream, as others indicate). It seems many are ready to trash this record, just because the boys in the band are pompous jerks (oooh, how rare in the rock world). A fun listen.… Expand
  26. JacobM
    Sep 19, 2006
    8
    I highly disagree with the overwhelmingly negative votes on this album. I listen to a wide range of music and this is one of those albums I like to blast while Im hitting the open freeway or during the heat of a party. I can understand that the album is not wholly original or doesnt break amazing new ground in rock music, but none the less I love listening to it and enjoy it thouroughly I highly disagree with the overwhelmingly negative votes on this album. I listen to a wide range of music and this is one of those albums I like to blast while Im hitting the open freeway or during the heat of a party. I can understand that the album is not wholly original or doesnt break amazing new ground in rock music, but none the less I love listening to it and enjoy it thouroughly regardless of all the rock snobbery some may hold… Expand
  27. JohnW
    Sep 19, 2006
    10
    Not for everyone I'm afraid, but great pop all the same.
  28. RyderJ
    Sep 19, 2006
    4
    Their first album was just amazing! Great pop tunes with some rock licks that kept the songs in your head troughout the day. Now this one, is just a mash up of 10s of layers it just doesn't sound kasabian but some crappy rock band that trys to play with some elektro band.. Too bad they changed their style...
  29. BarryF
    Sep 19, 2006
    2
    Liked the first album and they put on a great live show but this album is extremely disappointing. Up there with Definitely Maybe? Yeah right.
  30. Craig
    Sep 19, 2006
    0
    Boring, a c-class primal scream rip off.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 20
  3. Negative: 2 out of 20
  1. 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]
  2. Dot Music
    70
    "Empire" has an almost childlike energy and determination that makes it feel strangely charming.
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  3. musicOMH.com
    60
    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.
    Read full review
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