The lads are back. It’s been a long two years since we’ve heard their confident vocals and ripping bass lines but the wait is over. Empire is Kasabian’s second offering and, after winning Oasis’ support, Tom Meighan (vocals) is more than confident that this album is going to make a serious dent in the music industry.

The industry, however, aren’t too sure. Many reviewers have been less than kind about Kasabian’s second album and to be honest, they’re quite right to. Their first album was full of anthems and sing-a-longs which are as good on the LP as they are live. Empire, unfortunately, seriously lacks these anthems.

Kasabian have found their sound, I’m not denying that, it’s just disappointing that their sound hasn’t progressed very far. The stand-out hits on this album are few and far between though they more than make up for the cracks in this albums armour. ‘British Legion’ is this albums piece de la resistance with Serge (the brains behind the band) taking lead vocals - which in my opinion should happen a lot more - and does a very, very good job sounding like Bob Dylan . So, with likeness to Oasis AND Bob Dylan, why didn’t these boys step up to the challenge and make a second album which will put their names down in history?