U.K. band Kasabian delivers surprisingly tame show

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - It was an attention-getting opener. "Shoot the Runner," the new single from Kasabian's self-trumpeted second album, teamed a bumpy groove and skipping drums with a glam-bam chorus and a slow-burn false ending. Shoulders dipped and knees bobbed throughout the packed Music Box.

The catchy chord-change rocker and its zealous drum fills got Wednesday's show off to a promising start. And the fun continued with the older "Reason Is Treason," which featured a deep-throb intro, some dual-drone singing and a midsong Eurodisco break.

But as the English band's 70-minute set continued, the nuances of its music began to melt into a frustratingly repetitive dance churn. The mix of classic Britrock, psychedelic layering and measured doses of electronica that mold many of its songs into modern-day head music sounded more like a routine night of club-hopping. Despite some decidedly trippy, rave-like lighting, Kasabian's show was aimed squarely at the feet and not the mind.

Singer Tom Meighan has charmed and irritated the British press with his taunts, swagger and hyperbolic boasts, especially about the new album. But he couldn't have been more polite Wednesday. Meighan gestured, clapped and constantly name-checked Los Angeles, but his act was more businesslike than charismatic, and his vocals rarely pierced the thumping music.

And the beats went on, with the band spotlighting its new RCA album "Empire." The record's huge Oasis-vs.-electronica sound was hit or miss live. "Sun Rise Light Flies" -- which featured a pining vocal hook courtesy of guitarist Sergio Pizzorno -- provided some interesting drama early on, its grand melody dancing along with the simple beat. The title track's jarring tempo shift between verse and chorus translated well, though its slow instrumental break was a bit of a rally killer. And such enjoyable songs as "By My Side" and "Me Plus One" meandered rather than standing out.

There were familiar-sounding passages throughout: Beatlesque melodies, Slade-like chant-alongs, mid-'80s synth drench (without an onstage keyboard player), tabs of psychedelia, block-rockin' Chemical Brothers. The music was propulsive and thick, but much of it was not as instantly memorable as many of the recorded tracks, with exceptions including the dance-party anthems "Club Foot" and "Processed Beats."

One thing that was missing all night was guitar. Solos were scarce, as were riffs, hooks and other six-string expectations. The resulting clumps of bottom-heavy sound begged for a little spice, as Kasabian emphasized big grooves over subtlety.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

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