West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
by Kasabian
  • Record Label: Red Ink
  • Release Date: Jun 9, 2009
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. AllMusic
    60
    The result is an interesting, unexpected piece of work, devoid of a militantly commercial single like Empire's self-titled track, and lacking the shaggy Madchester vibes that Christopher Karloff brought to 2004's Kasabian.
  2. Drowned In Sound
    50
    One suspects the end product here may have had more to do with the record's producer than its creators, and as a result, this album is as unconvincing as the band's hollow assurances that they're open to embracing new horizons.
  3. Observer Music Monthly
    60
    All of which leads you to conclude that in their struggle to position themselves, Kasabian are trying too hard to be all things to all men.
  5. Pitchfork
    49
    When taking advantage of the opportunity to be as dumb as they need/want to be, West Ryder succeeds, which is another way of saying acoustic guitars have absolutely no reason to be involved.
  6. Spin
    50
    Between the groovier tracks, the album rarely keeps its feet or focus for long, getting lost in mazes of mangy Stones riffs or acoustic roundabouts with little purpose or pulse.
  7. Dot Music
    40
    What pulls this album back from being anything but revelatory, however, is not only the typical lazy rock the band are purveyors of, especially 'Fire' and 'Fast Fuse,' but also the diabolical lyrical content that's employed throughout West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum.

Awards & Rankings

54
#54 Most Discussed Album of 2009

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 90 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 78 out of 90
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 90
  3. Negative: 4 out of 90
  1. JackieK
    Oct 19, 2009
    10
    This album is amazing.
  2. PlugInBaby
    Feb 3, 2020
    8
    Great album, contains my favourite Kasabian song 'Where Did All The Love Go' and has some great deep cuts, namely Fast Fuse and Secret Alphabets
  3. JuanEngel_
    Apr 17, 2018
    10
    Even knowing the complete discography you can say that West Ryder is the best album of Kasabian. It's perfect by the riff of Underdog to theEven knowing the complete discography you can say that West Ryder is the best album of Kasabian. It's perfect by the riff of Underdog to the ending of Happiness. A masterpiece of the band.… Full Review »
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