2011 studio album by Kasabian
Velociraptor! |
---|
|
Studio album by Kasabian |
---|
Released | 16 September 2011 (2011-09-16) |
---|
Recorded | November 2010 – March 2011 in Leicester, England |
---|
Genre | - Electronic rock
- electronica
- neo-psychedelia
- space rock
|
---|
Length | 50:38 |
---|
Label | RCA |
---|
Producer | - Dan the Automator
- Sergio Pizzorno
|
---|
Kasabian chronology |
---|
|
|
Singles from Velociraptor! |
---|
- "Days Are Forgotten"
Released: 12 August 2011 - "Re-Wired"
Released: 21 October 2011 - "Goodbye Kiss"
Released: 20 February 2012 - "Man of Simple Pleasures"
Released: 7 May 2012 |
|
Velociraptor! is the fourth studio album by English rock[1] band Kasabian, released on 16 September 2011. The album has been described as expanding upon the neo-psychedelic feel of their previous album West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum with a stronger emphasis on experimental song structures and instrumentation. It was released to critical acclaim and became their third UK number-one album.
"Switchblade Smiles" was made available as a free download to anybody who pre-ordered the album from the band's official website store from 7 June 2011. The track is also available as a free download on the band's fanpage on Facebook.
The album cover is an edited picture of all four band members covered in feathers (as Velociraptors were traditionally feathery) and screaming, edited from the "Switchblade Smiles" music video.[2] Music videos for "Days Are Forgotten", "Re-Wired", "Goodbye Kiss", "Man of Simple Pleasures" and "Neon Noon" were also produced and released through the band's Vevo page on YouTube.
Composition
The album has been noted for its blend of styles, combining Middle Eastern influences, rock and electronica,[3] with Slant Magazine claiming the album is a "departure from the loutish club-rock with which Kasabian first made their name."[4]
Tracks
The album opens with "Let's Roll Just Like We Used To", which begins with a gong, and features a Mexican trumpet riff, a 'funky, spy-movie bassline', and elements of mod.[5] The second track and lead single "Days Are Forgotten" is a blues rock-leaning song boasting a 'filthy riff' alongside a 'trademark vowel-murdering, stadium-shaking chorus'[6] and has also drawn comparisons to Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song".[7] Described as a 'sublime ballad',[8] "Goodbye Kiss" is atypical of the band's familiar style, and was covered by American singer Lana Del Rey for BBC Radio One's Live Lounge.[6] "La Fee Verte" is named after the historical nickname for absinthe that translates into 'the green fairy' and was originally written and sung by Sergio Pizzorno for the soundtrack to London Boulevard. The song has drawn heavy comparisons to the Beatles[9][3] and was described by Pizzorno as 'retro, but still sounds modern'.[10] The title track has been labelled as an 'energetic rave-up'[7] with 'grimy guitars, absurd lyrics and an air-punching chorus.'[6]
"Acid Turkish Bath (Shelter From the Storm)" has been regarded as the biggest showcase of the album's Middle Eastern influences, featuring a 'wordless intro chant to the cutting strings and the brutal Bonham drumbeat'.[3] The song was used in the end credits to the movie Killer Elite.[11] "I Hear Voices" has been branded as 'Kraftwerk-inspired' electronica and has drawn comparisons to the 1982 sci-fi film Tron.[3] The second single "Re-Wired" is an electronic rock and disco-inspired song[12] and has been linked to the White Stripes.[5] Fourth single "Man of Simple Pleasures" was described by Pizzorno as a 'country song played by zombies'[13] and has been likened to Oasis as well as the track "Thick as Thieves" from the band's previous album West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum.[9][12] The pre-released free download track "Switchblade Smiles" has been regarded as a bridge between rock and electronica, featuring 'grungy guitar riffs threatening to smash the dance floor to bits.'[3] The song was featured on the soundtrack for FIFA 12. The closing track "Neon Noon" is a 'reverb-drenched slow-burner' combining acoustic guitars, strings and electronic elements.[6]
Critical reception
Velociraptor! received a strong critical reception and is often considered by fans and critics to be one of the band's strongest albums. On Metacritic, Velociraptor! has the band's highest rating with a score of 79 out of 100 based on 23 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[14] Their previous best album score was 68, held by West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum (2009).[23]
NME reviewed the album positively, praising its ridiculousness and despite concluding that it falls short to its predecessor, it is "an album with 'much to love about it".[9] Antiquiet gave it 4 1/2 stars out of 5 and declared that "Kasabian has found a way to channel everything you love about The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and Radiohead while still keeping the unique sound that sets them apart from the contemporaries like Coldplay, Muse and The Killers."[24]
The album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, selling over 90,000 copies in its first week. In 2011, Velociraptor! sold 279,000 copies in the UK.[25] With little support from Sony Music, the album failed to chart in the United States.
Track listing
All tracks are written by Sergio Pizzorno.
No. | Title | Length |
---|
1. | "Let's Roll Just Like We Used To" | 4:47 |
---|
2. | "Days Are Forgotten" | 5:02 |
---|
3. | "Goodbye Kiss" | 4:04 |
---|
4. | "La Fée Verte" | 5:47 |
---|
5. | "Velociraptor!" | 2:51 |
---|
6. | "Acid Turkish Bath (Shelter from the Storm)" | 6:01 |
---|
7. | "I Hear Voices" | 3:58 |
---|
8. | "Re-Wired" | 4:44 |
---|
9. | "Man of Simple Pleasures" | 3:51 |
---|
10. | "Switchblade Smiles" | 4:13 |
---|
11. | "Neon Noon" | 5:20 |
---|
Deluxe Edition Bonus DVD: Live at The O2 Dublin, 27 November 2009No. | Title | Length |
---|
1. | "Julie & The Moth Man" | 8:29 |
---|
2. | "Underdog" | 5:05 |
---|
3. | "Where Did All the Love Go?" | 4:18 |
---|
4. | "Swarfiga" | 2:23 |
---|
5. | "Shoot the Runner" | 4:01 |
---|
6. | "Cutt Off" | 5:29 |
---|
7. | "Processed Beats" | 3:48 |
---|
8. | "West Ryder Silver Bullet" | 6:09 |
---|
9. | "Thick as Thieves" | 3:22 |
---|
10. | "Take Aim" | 6:13 |
---|
11. | "Empire" | 4:23 |
---|
12. | "Last Trip (In Flight)" | 3:03 |
---|
13. | "I.D." | 5:50 |
---|
14. | "Ladies and Gentlemen, Roll the Dice" | 3:59 |
---|
15. | "Fire" | 5:01 |
---|
16. | "Fast Fuse" | 6:01 |
---|
17. | "The Doberman" | 8:22 |
---|
18. | "Club Foot" | 5:33 |
---|
19. | "Vlad the Impaler" | 6:41 |
---|
20. | "Stuntman" | 5:29 |
---|
21. | "L.S.F. (Lost Souls Forever)" | 10:00 |
---|
Japan Only Bonus TracksNo. | Title | Length |
---|
12. | "Pistols at Dawn" | 5:18 |
---|
13. | "Julie & The Moth Man" | 5:39 |
---|
14. | "Black Whistler" | 3:41 |
---|
Japanese Special Limited Edition Bonus Tracks[26]No. | Title | Length |
---|
15. | "Velociraptor!" (Live in Leicester) | |
---|
16. | "Re-Wired" (Live in Leicester) | |
---|
17. | "Switchblade Smiles" (Live in Leicester) | |
---|
Super Deluxe Box Bonus TrackNo. | Title | Length |
---|
12. | "Pistols at Dawn" | 5:18 |
---|
Super Deluxe Box / Japanese Special Limited Edition[26] Bonus DVDNo. | Title | Length |
---|
1. | "Let's Roll Just Like We Used To" (Documentary) | 24:01 |
---|
2. | "The Story of the Velociraptor!" (Track by Track Commentary) | 15:57 |
---|
3. | "Velociraptor!" (Vevo Presents: Live in Leicester) | |
---|
4. | "Days Are Forgotten" (Vevo Presents: Live in Leicester) | |
---|
5. | "Re-Wired" (Vevo Presents: Live in Leicester) | |
---|
6. | "Underdog" (Vevo Presents: Live in Leicester) | |
---|
7. | "Fast Fuse" (Vevo Presents: Live in Leicester) | |
---|
8. | "Vlad the Impaler" (Vevo Presents: Live in Leicester) | |
---|
9. | "Switchblade Smiles" (Vevo Presents: Live in Leicester) | |
---|
10. | "Fire" (Vevo Presents: Live in Leicester) | |
---|
11. | "Switchblade Smiles" (Video) | |
---|
12. | "Switchblade Smiles" (Making of) | |
---|
13. | "Days Are Forgotten" (Video) | |
---|
14. | "Days Are Forgotten" (Making of) | |
---|
15. | "Re-Wired" (Video) | |
---|
16. | "Re-Wired" (Making of) | |
---|
Italian Special Edition Bonus Disc – Man of Simple Pleasures Italian Special EP[27][28]No. | Title | Length |
---|
1. | "Man of Simple Pleasures" (feat. J-Ax) | |
---|
2. | "Where Did All the Love Go?" (Live in Dublin) | |
---|
3. | "Shoot the Runner" (Live in Dublin) | |
---|
4. | "Velociraptor!" (Live in Leicester) | |
---|
5. | "Re-Wired" (Live in Leicester) | |
---|
6. | "Switchblade Smiles" (Live in Leicester) | |
---|
7. | "Julie & The Moth Man" | |
---|
8. | "Pistols at Dawn" | |
---|
9. | "Narcotic Farm" | |
---|
iTunes Store Deluxe Version Bonus Tracks[29]No. | Title | Length |
---|
12. | "Pistols at Dawn" | 5:18 |
---|
13. | "Switchblade Smiles" (Video) | 4:16 |
---|
14. | "Switchblade Smiles" (Making of) | 3:08 |
---|
15. | "Days Are Forgotten" (Video) | 4:08 |
---|
16. | "Days Are Forgotten" (Making of) | 3:29 |
---|
17. | "Re-Wired" (Video) | 4:19 |
---|
18. | "Re-Wired" (Making of) | 3:41 |
---|
19. | "The Story of the Velociraptor!" (Track by Track Commentary) | 15:53 |
---|
20. | "Let's Roll Just Like We Used To" (Documentary) | 23:56 |
---|
Personnel
- Kasabian
- Tom Meighan – lead vocals (all tracks except 4, 6 and 11), backing vocals (tracks 4, 6 and 11)
- Sergio Pizzorno – lead and rhythm guitars, backing vocals (all tracks except 4, 6 and 11), lead vocals (tracks 4, 6 and 11), co-lead vocals (track 5 and 10), synthesizer, additional bass, production
- Chris Edwards – bass guitar
- Ian Matthews – drums
| - Additional musicians
- Jay Mehler – guitar
- Sandris Skyrimš – guitar
- Tim Carter – guitar, percussion
- Ben Kealey – keyboards
- Dan Ralph Martin – guitar, percussion (tracks 4 and 9)
- Gary Alesbrook – trumpet (tracks 1, 2, 4, 5 and 8)
- Mat Coleman – trombone (tracks 1, 2, 4, 5 and 8)
- Andrew Kinsman – saxophone (tracks 1, 2, 4, 5 and 8)
- London Metropolitan Orchestra – strings (tracks 1, 4, 6 and 8)
- Jessica Dannheisser – orchestration
- Andy Brown – conducting
| - Technical personnel
|
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts | Year-end charts Chart (2011) | Position | UK Albums Chart[48] | 37 | UK Rock Albums Chart[49] | 7 | Chart (2012) | Position | Italian Albums Chart[50] | 66 | UK Albums Chart[51] | 98 | Certifications Certifications for Velociraptor Region | Certification | Certified units/sales | Italy (FIMI)[52] | Gold | 30,000* | Poland (ZPAV)[53] | Gold | 10,000* | United Kingdom (BPI)[54] | 2× Platinum | 600,000‡ | * Sales figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label |
Australia[55] | 16 September 2011 | CD, CD/DVD, Digital download | Sony Music |
Belgium[56] |
Ireland[57] |
Italy[58] |
United States[59] |
France[60] | 19 September 2011 |
New Zealand[61] |
United Kingdom[62] | Columbia Records |
Spain[63] | 20 September 2011 | Sony Music |
Japan[64] | 21 September 2011 |
References
- ^ "Kasabian's Serge: I'm no indie boy". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. September 2011.
- ^ Kasabian - Switchblade Smiles. YouTube. 15 July 2011.
- ^ a b c d e "Album Review: Kasabian - Velociraptor!". 27 September 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ Jones, Huw (25 September 2011). "Review: Kasabian, Velociraptor!". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ a b Kasabian - Velociraptor! Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved 10 September 2023
- ^ a b c d Gill, Jaime. "BBC - Music - Review of Kasabian - Velociraptor!". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ a b "Kasabian: Velociraptor!". Paste Magazine. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ Simpson, Dave (15 September 2011). "Kasabian: Velociraptor! – review". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ a b c NME (14 September 2011). "Album Review: Kasabian - 'Velociraptor!'". NME. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ Kasabian's track by track guide to Velociraptor! with Serge and Tom - Part 1, retrieved 10 September 2023
- ^ Killer Elite (Motion Picture Soundtrack), 26 September 2011, retrieved 15 March 2022
- ^ a b Empire, Kitty (17 September 2011). "Kasabian: Velociraptor! – review". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 10 September 2023.
- ^ Kasabian's track by track guide to Velociraptor! with Serge and Tom - Part 2, retrieved 10 September 2023
- ^ a b "Velociraptor! Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ Jeffries, David (19 September 2011). "Velociraptor! - Kasabian". AllMusic. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
- ^ "Album Review: Kasabian – Velociraptor! « Consequence of Sound". consequence.net. 27 September 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
- ^ Dave Simpson (15 September 2011). "Kasabian: Velociraptor! – review | Music". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
- ^ "NME Album Reviews - Album Review: Kasabian - 'Velociraptor!'". NME. 14 September 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ October 2011, p. 114
- ^ "Slant review". Slant Magazine. 25 September 2011.
- ^ McCormick, Neil (15 September 2011). "Kasabian: Velociraptor, CD review". The Daily Telegraph. London.
- ^ FOCUS Online (20 September 2011). "Plattenkritik: Kasabian – "Velociraptor!": Schwachbrüstiger Dinosaurier". FOCUS Online.
- ^ "West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ "Kasabian Swing the Talons with 'Velociraptor!'". Antiquiet. 27 September 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ "The Top 20 rock singles and albums of 2011 revealed". The Official Charts Company. 17 January 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
- ^ a b "ディスコグラフィ - Sony Music". sonymusic.co.jp.
- ^ "Velociraptor! : Kasabian: Amazon.it: Musica". amazon.it.
- ^ "Kasabian - Velociraptor!". Discogs. 6 October 2023.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Velociraptor! (Deluxe Version) by Kasabian". iTunes. 16 September 2011.
- ^ "Australiancharts.com – Kasabian – Velociraptor!". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Kasabian – Velociraptor!" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Kasabian – Velociraptor!" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Kasabian – Velociraptor!" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ "Danishcharts.dk – Kasabian – Velociraptor!". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Kasabian – Velociraptor!" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ "Kasabian: Velociraptor" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ "Lescharts.com – Kasabian – Velociraptor!". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week 38, 2011". Chart-Track. IRMA. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ "Italiancharts.com – Kasabian – Velociraptor!". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ "Mexicancharts.com – Kasabian – Velociraptor!". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ "Charts.nz – Kasabian – Velociraptor!". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Kasabian – Velociraptor!". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Kasabian – Velociraptor!". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 September 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "The Top 20 rock singles and albums of 2011 revealed". officialcharts.com.
- ^ "Top 100 Album Combined - Classifica annuale (dal 2 Gennaio 2012 al 30 Dicembre 2012)" (PDF) (in Italian). Federation of the Italian Music Industry / TV Sorrisi e Canzoni. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
- ^ http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/UKChartsPlusYE2012.pdf [dead link]
- ^ "Italian album certifications – Kadabian – Velociraptor!" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Select "2013" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Velociraptor!" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Album e Compilation" under "Sezione".
- ^ "Wyróżnienia – Złote płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2012 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry.
- ^ "British album certifications – Kasabian – Velociraptor!". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 6 September 2022.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Velociraptor! by Kasabian". Itunes.apple.com. 16 September 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Velociraptor! by Kasabian". Itunes.apple.com. 16 September 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Velociraptor! by Kasabian". Itunes.apple.com. 16 September 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
- ^ "iTunes - Musica - Velociraptor! di Kasabian". iTunes. 16 September 2011.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Velociraptor! by Kasabian". iTunes.
- ^ "iTunes - Musique - Velociraptor! par Kasabian". Itunes.apple.com. 16 September 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Velociraptor! by Kasabian". Itunes.apple.com. 16 September 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Velociraptor! by Kasabian". Itunes.apple.com. 16 September 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
- ^ "iTunes - Música - Velociraptor! de Kasabian". Itunes.apple.com. 16 September 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
- ^ "iTunes - ミュージック - Kasabian「Velociraptor!」". iTunes. 16 September 2011.
|
Studio albums | |
---|
Live albums | |
---|
Singles | |
---|
Extended plays | |
---|
Related articles | |
---|
Authority control databases | - MusicBrainz release group
|
---|