West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
Kasabian · 2009
119 min · 24 tracks · indie rock
A sonic exploration blending anthemic rock with psychedelic influences and eclectic instrumentation throughout its vivid narrative landscapes.
Top tracks — play these first
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Underdog Start here — The opening track sets the tone for the album with its infectious energy and catchy chorus, showcasing Kasabian's knack for creating stadium-ready anthems.
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Vlad the Impaler — This track features a driving beat and is packed with dark imagery, representing the album's more experimental side while maintaining a sense of urgency that captures listeners' attention.
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Where Did All the Love Go? — With its reflective lyrics and blend of electronic elements, this song exemplifies the band's maturation and willingness to explore deeper emotional themes amidst their signature sound.
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Fast Fuse — A highlight for its frenetic pace and explosive instrumentation, this track showcases the band's ability to merge rock with dance elements, making it a fan favorite during live performances.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends energetic rock with atmospheric elements, showcasing strong craft but uneven cohesion.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features high-energy tracks with driving rhythms, while the second half shifts to more atmospheric and introspective pieces.
- Several tracks incorporate unconventional instrumentation, such as strings and electronic elements, creating a layered soundscape.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- long, immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
- layered, dense sonic textures
- gradual builds and payoffs
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Acclaimed for its ambitious sound and narrative, often seen as a high point in their career.
- Career context
- Released on June 5, 2009, 'West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum' is Kasabian's third studio album, following their commercially successful second album, 'Empire'. At this point in their career, they were solidifying their status as a leading force in British rock, known for their energetic live performances and genre-blending sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Royal Blood· Arctic Monkeys· The Dead Weather
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Underdog Start here 4:37
- 2 Where Did All the Love Go? 4:17
- 3 Swarfiga 2:18
- 4 Fast Fuse 4:10
- 5 Take Aim 5:23
- 6 Thick as Thieves 3:06
- 7 West Ryder Silver Bullet 5:15
- 8 Vlad the Impaler 4:44
- 9 Ladies and Gentlemen, Roll the Dice 3:33
- 10 Secret Alphabets 5:07
- 11 Fire 4:13
- 12 Happiness 5:12
- 13 Julie & The Moth Man 5:39
- 14 Where Did All the Love Go (Burns remix) 6:08
- 15 Vlad the Impaler (Zane Lowe remix) 4:31
- 16 Take Aim (Dan the Automator remix) 5:15
Disc 2
- 1 Kasabian live Exclusive 19:08
- 2 Club Foot live from HMV Forum, London 3:42
- 3 Empire live from HMV Forum, London 3:58
- 4 Vlad the Impaler 2:08
- 5 Underdog International Version 3:58
- 6 Fire 4:41
- 7 Where Did All the Love Go? 4:17
- 8 Underdog UK Version 4:00
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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