Empire cover

Released 20 years ago

Empire

Kasabian · 2006

7 min · 2 tracks · indie rock

A fusion of anthemic indie rock and pulsating electronic beats that captures a vibrant, rebellious spirit.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Empire (single edit) — The title track showcases an exhilarating blend of driving rhythms and catchy hooks, exemplifying the band's knack for creating stadium-ready anthems.
  • →
    Black Whistler — This track stands out with its darker tones and complex instrumentation, reflecting a more experimental side of Kasabian that's crucial to understanding their evolution.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100
Treeline
Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

Empire showcases strong songwriting and production, blending rock with electronic elements effectively.

What we noticed

  • The opening track features a heavy, driving beat that sets an energetic tone for the album, which is maintained through the first five tracks.
  • Several tracks incorporate electronic elements, such as synths and samples, blending them seamlessly with traditional rock instrumentation.
  • The album includes varied song structures, with some tracks featuring extended instrumental sections that build tension before resolving.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — Solidified Kasabian's reputation as a leading force after their debut.
Career context
Released on July 24, 2006, 'Empire' marked Kasabian's third studio album and followed their critically acclaimed breakthrough self-titled debut. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their presence in the UK indie rock scene, building on the momentum from their previous album, 'West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum.'
Stylistic neighbors
Royal Blood· Arctic Monkeys· The Dead Weather

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Empire (single edit)

    The chorus erupts into a rousing call to arms, shifting from personal musings to communal empowerment.

    This shift elevates the song from introspection to a rallying cry, encapsulating both individual and collective aspirations within the context of contemporary society.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Empire (single edit) 3:25
  • 2 Black Whistler 3:40

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata