For their third LP, "West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum," English electronic-psychedelic rock unit Kasabian [ tickets ] live up to their own hype and serve up their most engaging, unexpected mix of sounds to date.

Coated by an air of woozy cosmic energy, and rebellious and raunchy '70s rock, "West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum" takes several surprising turns without losing its point, which appears to be to create head-spinning sonic delights. Steadied by Tom Meighan's unmistakable vocals and swagger, the album proudly struts along to infectious dance hooks, hard-hearted acoustic adieus and foot-stomping jangling rhythms.

"Where Did All the Love Go?" is a trippy, smile-on-your-brother plea to the youth of our generation--and proves that the music here can be as equally colorful and druggy as it is mindful and direct. "Vlad the Impaler" is the album's ultimate dance-floor track, featuring a pulsating fury of seductive electronica and a raging chorus that commands: "Get loose! Get loose!"

"Fast Fuse" is a fuzzy and reckless guitar party that reeks of endless booze and late-night ruckus. Meighan's feisty chorus matches the song's glorious and careless pulse: "Got no time to love/just a city to abuse." This spirit of debauchery continues with "Take Aim," a standard Kasabian surge of repetitious cries and glossy cinematic climaxes. Producer Dan "The Automator" Nakamura's signature knack with beats, samples and atmosphere make for a seamless flow of sounds even during the most drastic alteration in mood or pace.

With "West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum," Kasabian might be accused of having a lack of focus--even based on the album title alone. However, rather than demonstrating a lack of direction, this release shows a band ready to smash preconceptions and earn some certifiable bragging rights.