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Kasabian — Thick As Thieves
Album: West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum
Avg rating:
6.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 973









Released: 2009
Length: 3:04
Plays (last 30 days): 3
There we were, thick as thives
Frightened by shadows in the autumn leaves
We wore stolen hearts, vintage souls
Aided by lies amongst the media fools and

Hey ho, where did it go?
When did we lose our sight?
And it's a nice show, the ones we perform,
Performing it day and night (night)

See the lines upon my face
Walking in circles with the human race
And all the little people they want to be free
But I can't get there cos I got you holding me back

And, hey ho, where did it go?
When did we lose our sight?
And it's a nice show, the ones we perform,
Performing it day and night (night) (let me be free)

La la la lala, la la la lala, la la la lalalalala
La la la lala, la la la lala, la la la lalalalala
I gave you all your scars but you gave me mine
I gave you all your scars but you gave me mine, yeah,
I gave you all your scars but you gave me mine and
I gave you all your scars but you gave me mine
Let the light sing again

There we were, thick as thives,
Frightened by shadows in the autumn leaves,
Goodbye my sweet, goodbye, goodbye
Comments (94)add comment
Definitely Kinky.
 bimmerfan739 wrote:


Yes, with a little Kinks thrown in.


A LOT of Kinks, methinks...
 westslope wrote:

Sounds a little bit like The Hollies me thinks. 



Yes, with a little Kinks thrown in.
 WonderLizard wrote:
 michaelgmitchell wrote:

 I wish I were as cool as these guys so I could be let in on the "cool" name of the album. But it's too stupid-cool for me to understand. Bleh.
  
 

Frater_Kork wrote:
I know, it's so dreadfully uncool to check wikipedia for stuff I dont get so I'd rather stay ignorant. ;)


I hope Frater_Kork is kidding. What is so uncool about research? That's how you learn, fercryinoutloud! {#Think}

From Wiki:

West Riding Pauper Lunatic Asylum was a mental institution built in Stanley, near Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England in the 1800s. The hospital is often mistaken with High Royds Hospital in Leeds.Sergio Pizzorno further explained the choice of album title: "The album isn't about the place, I just first heard about it on a TV documentary, and the words just struck me. I love the way it looked and the feeling it evokes. Apparently, it was one of the first loony bins for the poor, before that it was mainly rich people who got treatment."



The winking emoticon is most certainly portraying what the kids call "sarcasm" so to make this a literal as possible and leave no room for misinterpretation ... Frater_Kork was poking fun at michaelgmitchell for listening to an internet radio station, thus having the worlds most abundant source of information at their finger tips, i.e. said internet, and yet not being willing to be bothered to look up the reference, but rather unhappily stew in his lack of understanding of the album's name. 
Overrated band.
 nileny wrote:
i just love this radiostation... greetings from switzerland
 
Greetings from California wine country.  I just love Switzerland!
i just love this radiostation... greetings from switzerland
 Krakus wrote:

I think prefer to listen to the nails across the blackbaord than this song

 
Try putting this clip on loop then. Alternatively, and less painfully, PSD is your friend :)
Sounds a little bit like The Hollies me thinks. 
 vandal wrote:

Is he really singing, "fick as feeves" ?? 
 
It's not unusual for a working-class boy from Leicester to have elocution that deviates somewhat from the orthodox.
The Jam also has a song called "Thick as Thieves", and it kicks this thing all over the lot!
Ah those Lost Boys
 Jack_Jefferson wrote:
People are strange when you're a stranger...

 
Absolutely.  Don't understand their popularity over here at all.

edit;  cleverly followed today by The Byrds "Lover of the Bayou" just seems to reinforce how flimsy this is.  To my ears, of course.  PSD this one.

I think prefer to listen to the nails across the blackbaord than this song


really reminiscent of House of Freaks without the awesome drum line
 dew34 wrote:

And the Ventures surf guitar tunes from the 60's 

 
Yeah! Although I am impressed with my just-rediscovered post on hearing a mix of "Eleanor" and "Sunny Afternoon" (Self: "Wow, you're great!" Old self: "No, you're great!")

This time around I thought it was a Michael Penn song at first... 

Emwolb: you can edit your comments after you post 'em...And you're right, this isn't as good as the other songs. But those are brilliant tracks.
Meant to add "and not as good as either"
 kcar wrote:

Or a cross between the Turtles "Eleanor" and The Kinks' "Sunny Afternoon." 

 

 vandal wrote:

Is he really singing, "fick as feeves" ?? 

 
That's actually a fairly common choral singing technique - though usually it's on the ends of words (such as "truf"), and with a microphone in your face you don't need to compensate for acoustics to make sure your diction is clear.
 vandal wrote:

Is he really singing, "fick as feeves" ?? 

 

Yes, but only in the vernacular.
The Cowsills? 
6->7

Not bad at all. 
 kcar wrote:

Or a cross between the Turtles "Eleanor" and The Kinks' "Sunny Afternoon." 
 
And the Ventures surf guitar tunes from the 60's 
...all the little people want to be free!

Try it, it's fun! =)
 vandal wrote:

Is he really singing, "fick as feeves" ?? 

 
That was my first thought, or would that be 'first fought'?
...not a bad song though.

I really like this one — and it's one of MANY songs I only hear here on RP!  thanks
After many listens, a few ear worm attacks, and some debating...  I bumped this from a 6 to a 7. 

That's a lot of work to only like a song a little more. 
Nice

Is he really singing, "fick as feeves" ?? 

 leathepea wrote:
Sounds a little like "House of Freaks"
 
Or a cross between the Turtles "Eleanor" and The Kinks' "Sunny Afternoon." 
 nrosedraws wrote:
I think I hate slow waltz rock songs...
ate917 wrote:
This isn't a waltz; it's a two-step shuffle (as distinct from a march).

  {#Yes}
I love a good two step shuffle ! {#Smile}
First song of Kasabian i really like!!
Sounds a little like "House of Freaks"
 velocette wrote:

And derivative. Does anyone else hear (cough!) the Turtles?
 
It is derivative in that it's a pretty standard, minor-key, cabaret-style song structure.  That music form was invented well before the 1960's - just ask Kurt Weill*, and there are hundreds of songs with similar structures.   Apparently, very few people here have any knowledge of music written or recorded before 1965.  What do you have against The Turtles?

*Pointed out several pages back.
 WonderLizard wrote:

You're clairvoyant. I just logged in to say the same thing...this whole album seems to have absorbed vintage Kinks through its pores. Great get!

 
!!!

Couldn't agree more.

 
MojoJojo wrote:
The Beatles are enough Beatles for me. 
 


fick as fieves
The Beatles are enough Beatles for me. 
8
{#Dance}nate917 wrote:

This isn't a waltz; it's a two-step shuffle (as distinct from a march).


Yup! You just need a straw hat and a cane. And with Don Martin, Mad magazine's famous artist providing the sound effects..."Shipaditty, shipaditty, shipaditty, SHAP!"{#Dance}


 rosedraws wrote:
I think I hate slow waltz rock songs...
 
This isn't a waltz; it's a two-step shuffle (as distinct from a march).

This sort of thing was boring when James did it in the 1990s.  Hasn't gotten any better.

Someone mentioned the Turtles below.  If only.  Kaylan and Volman were at least fun.
LOVE Kasabian! Keep 'em comin'!
Late night in the studio...the blow's gone to their heads, the red wine's out....
I like this band. not much this song, but I think they are a very original band.
I think I hate slow waltz rock songs...
crockydile wrote:
Kasabian is an anagram for: A Ban Ask I Coincidence?{#Ask}

Smart, wicked, A+!
(I do like the song, however)

People are strange when you're a stranger...
It's a far cry from "Ovary Stripe."
Love this..............
 jagdriver wrote:
Obnoxious.
 
And derivative. Does anyone else hear (cough!) the Turtles?
Obnoxious.
unfortunately this is the only remotely interesting song on the whole album to me.  such a far cry from their debut album.  they seem to have not only lost their edge but all inspiration, somehow.
 michaelgmitchell wrote:

 I wish I were as cool as these guys so I could be let in on the "cool" name of the album. But it's too stupid-cool for me to understand. Bleh.
  
 Frater_Kork wrote:

I know, it's so dreadfully uncool to check wikipedia for stuff I dont get so I'd rather stay ignorant. ;)
 
I hope Frater_Kork is kidding. What is so uncool about research? That's how you learn, fercryinoutloud! {#Think}

From Wiki:

West Riding Pauper Lunatic Asylum was a mental institution built in Stanley, near Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England in the 1800s. The hospital is often mistaken with High Royds Hospital in Leeds.<4> Sergio Pizzorno further explained the choice of album title: "The album isn't about the place, I just first heard about it on a TV documentary, and the words just struck me. I love the way it looked and the feeling it evokes. Apparently, it was one of the first loony bins for the poor, before that it was mainly rich people who got treatment."


 DDB61 wrote:
Tryin to think who this reminds me of - maybe early Kinks?
 
Yes — specifically, "Sunny Afternoon."
 DDB61 wrote:
Tryin to think who this reminds me of - maybe early Kinks?
 
You're clairvoyant. I just logged in to say the same thing...this whole album seems to have absorbed vintage Kinks through its pores. Great get!

Tryin to think who this reminds me of - maybe early Kinks?
 jagdriver wrote:
This song sucks.
 
ALL songs suck (something).

Its just that this particular song sucks something that you personally would rather leave un-sucked!

 jagdriver wrote:
This song sucks.
 
tell us how you really feel....{#Chillpill}
This song sucks.
GREAT ALBUM - 7 good songs (from 12?).
Rare one gets that much for the money!

LIVE a relative disappointment, though!
(Two!!!!!!!!!!! support musicians on guitar and organ)
 Frater_Kork wrote:

I know, it's so dreadfully uncool to check wikipedia for stuff I dont get so I'd rather stay ignorant. ;)
 

It's nothing but the real-true name of an English "mad-house" from the past!

 crockydile wrote:
Kasabian is an anagram for: A Ban Ask I    Coincidence?{#Ask}
 

Nothing but a reference to the HELTER SKELTER girl...!
KASABIAN is IRANIAN and means something like "SLAUGHTER".
Great irony - don't you think?


7 —> 8
Kasabian is an anagram for: A Ban Ask I    Coincidence?{#Ask}
 michaelgmitchell wrote:
I wish I were as cool as these guys so I could be let in on the "cool" name of the album. But it's too stupid-cool for me to understand. Bleh.
 
I know, it's so dreadfully uncool to check wikipedia for stuff I dont get so I'd rather stay ignorant. ;)
 Felix_The_Cat wrote:
People are strange + lemon tree = ?

 
{#Lol}

I wish I were as cool as these guys so I could be let in on the "cool" name of the album. But it's too stupid-cool for me to understand. Bleh.
 
 mikedarookie wrote:
I liked this song better when it was originally done by The Kinks, "Sunny Afternoon."  Find an original sound, Kasabian.
 
We have a winner!! That's why this song seems so familiar. Funny, it's the only Kasabian song I can tolerate...

a good solid 7, I am a sucker for melodic music...
Catchy!
7p from me, don't know why, usaly not my cup of tea

7 {#Arrow} 8

 Ibis99 wrote:
"Hey ho why don't they go" to a place no one can hear them.
 
Hahahahahaha!!!!!!!
I liked this song better when it was originally done by The Kinks, "Sunny Afternoon."  Find an original sound, Kasabian.
Oh why bother
People are strange + lemon tree = ?

In the beginning I thought it was something new by Joe Henry.
It got better. ;)
 Proclivities wrote:

WayUpNorth wrote:

Doors - People are Strange?

Well, it's similar to both of those songs and also "Little Red Riding Hood" by Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs, (which preceded at least "People Are Strange").  But to be fair, the music form is a conventional, minor-key, "cabaret" song, a genre which long-preceded Rock 'n' Roll.  This is quite a likable song; if they owe a debt for it to any one person it would be Kurt Weill (who also composed "The Alabama Song" which was covered by The Doors).
 
Someone knows a bit about contemporary musical history!  Nice...

 Proclivities wrote:
Well, it's similar to both of those songs and also "Little Red Riding Hood" by Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs, (which preceded at least "People Are Strange").  But to be fair, the music form is a conventional, minor-key, "cabaret" song, a genre which long-preceded Rock 'n' Roll.  This is quite a likable song; if they owe a debt for it to any one person it would be Kurt Weill (who also composed "The Alabama Song" which was covered by The Doors).
 
{#Clap} Great Comment!

 westslope wrote:
Yes.  Kinks.  Dead End Street.
 
WayUpNorth wrote:

Doors - People are Strange?

Well, it's similar to both of those songs and also "Little Red Riding Hood" by Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs, (which preceded at least "People Are Strange").  But to be fair, the music form is a conventional, minor-key, "cabaret" song, a genre which long-preceded Rock 'n' Roll.  This is quite a likable song; if they owe a debt for it to any one person it would be Kurt Weill (who also composed "The Alabama Song" which was covered by The Doors).


"Hey ho why don't they go" to a place know one can hear them.
This song grew on me everytime I hesrd it so finally bought the CD. Not all of its my cup of tea but there is some good stuff on it...
Saw them at Glastonbury this year. I was really looking forward to their set but alas I think they gave a second rate performance. . . just missing the mark on each end every number. 

Hey ho. . . perhaps another time.  
Yes.  Kinks.  Dead End Street.
 SoundsGoodToMe wrote:
Before I was turned on to RP, I would have said this sounded like the Beatles.  But now I would say it sounds like the Kinks.  How's that for progress :)

 
I'd say you're properly tuned up, since this borrows a great deal from the Kinks' "Dead End Street".

Sounds like someone in the band stumbled across a Supergrass record...
I am liking this group more with each listen.
Before I was turned on to RP, I would have said this sounded like the Beatles.  But now I would say it sounds like the Kinks.  How's that for progress :)

Doors - People are Strange?
thats awesome song
 melvinodo wrote:
I agree that it a great song

But.. First they used to sound like Paul Simon, and now George Harrison?

When I first heard it, I was thinking 'Beatles?' and then I dialed in as most like 'George Harrison'.

These guys are great. And I just have to remember when it sounds like it might be a cool new tune by some older band or singer, it must be Kasabian instead!

 

I hear the Kinks.
I agree that it a great song

But.. First they used to sound like Paul Simon, and now George Harrison?

When I first heard it, I was thinking 'Beatles?' and then I dialed in as most like 'George Harrison'.

These guys are great. And I just have to remember when it sounds like it might be a cool new tune by some older band or singer, it must be Kasabian instead!

Great song from their best album yet!