Velociraptor!

"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.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SQNNLe6WPA|title=Kasabian - Switchblade Smiles|date=15 July 2011|work=YouTube}} 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.

The album has been noted for its blend of styles, combining Middle Eastern influences, rock and electronica,{{Cite web |date=2011-09-27 |title=Album Review: Kasabian - Velociraptor! |url=https://consequence.net/2011/09/album-review-kasabian-velociraptor/ |access-date=2023-09-10 |language=en-US}} with Slant Magazine claiming the album is a "departure from the loutish club-rock with which Kasabian first made their name."{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Huw |date=2011-09-25 |title=Review: Kasabian, Velociraptor! |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/kasabian-velociraptor/ |access-date=2023-09-10 |website=Slant Magazine |language=en-US}}

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.{{Citation |title=Kasabian - Velociraptor! Album Reviews, Songs & More {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/velociraptor!-mw0002169520 |access-date=2023-09-10 |language=en}} 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'{{Cite web |last=Gill |first=Jaime |title=BBC - Music - Review of Kasabian - Velociraptor! |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/vcm5/ |access-date=2023-09-10 |website=www.bbc.co.uk |language=en-GB}} and has also drawn comparisons to Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song".{{Cite web |title=Kasabian: Velociraptor! |url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/kasabian/kasabian-velociraptor |access-date=2023-09-10 |website=Paste Magazine |language=en-US}} Described as a 'sublime ballad',{{Cite news |last=Simpson |first=Dave |date=2011-09-15 |title=Kasabian: Velociraptor! – review |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/sep/15/kasabian-velociraptor-review |access-date=2023-09-10 |issn=0261-3077}} "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. "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{{Cite web |last=NME |date=2011-09-14 |title=Album Review: Kasabian - 'Velociraptor!' |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-kasabian-12311-304672 |access-date=2023-09-10 |website=NME |language=en-GB}} and was described by Pizzorno as 'retro, but still sounds modern'.{{Citation |title=Kasabian's track by track guide to Velociraptor! with Serge and Tom - Part 1 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53FSSVloCzM |access-date=2023-09-10 |language=en}} The title track has been labelled as an 'energetic rave-up' with 'grimy guitars, absurd lyrics and an air-punching chorus.'

"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'. The song was used in the end credits to the movie Killer Elite.{{Citation |title=Killer Elite (Motion Picture Soundtrack) |date=2011-09-26 |url=https://open.spotify.com/album/3Z1JqT5xsBOhX4oYqrdpQL |access-date=2022-03-15 |language=en}} "I Hear Voices" has been branded as 'Kraftwerk-inspired' electronica and has drawn comparisons to the 1982 sci-fi film Tron. The second single "Re-Wired" is an electronic rock and disco-inspired song{{Cite news |last=Empire |first=Kitty |date=2011-09-17 |title=Kasabian: Velociraptor! – review |language=en-GB |work=The Observer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/sep/17/kasabian-velociraptor-review |access-date=2023-09-10 |issn=0029-7712}} and has been linked to the White Stripes. Fourth single "Man of Simple Pleasures" was described by Pizzorno as a 'country song played by zombies'{{Citation |title=Kasabian's track by track guide to Velociraptor! with Serge and Tom - Part 2 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4fPx0-6-p0 |access-date=2023-09-10 |language=en}} 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. 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.' 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.

{{Music ratings

| MC = 79/100

| rev1 = Allmusic

| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|last=Jeffries |first=David |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/velociraptor-r2224394 |title=Velociraptor! - Kasabian |website=AllMusic |date=19 September 2011 |access-date=7 January 2012}}

| rev2 = Consequence of Sound

| rev2Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2011/09/album-review-kasabian-velociraptor/ |title=Album Review: Kasabian – Velociraptor! « Consequence of Sound |publisher=consequence.net |date=27 September 2011 |access-date=7 January 2012}}

| rev3 = Digital Spy

| rev3Score = {{Rating|4|5}}

| rev4 = The Fly

| rev4Score = {{Rating|8|10}}

| rev5 = Guardian

| rev5Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite news|author=Dave Simpson |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/sep/15/kasabian-velociraptor-review |title=Kasabian: Velociraptor! – review | Music |newspaper=The Guardian |date= 15 September 2011|access-date=7 January 2012 |location=London}}

| rev6 = The Independent

| rev6Score = {{Rating|4|5}}

| rev7 = NME

| rev7Score = {{Rating|8|10}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/kasabian/12311 |title=NME Album Reviews - Album Review: Kasabian - 'Velociraptor!' |work=NME |date=14 September 2011 |access-date=12 December 2013}}

| rev8 = Q

| rev8Score = {{Rating|4|5}}October 2011, p. 114

| rev9 = Slant

| rev9Score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web|title=Slant review|website=Slant Magazine|date=25 September 2011|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/kasabian-velociraptor/2628}}

| rev10 = Daily Telegraph

| rev10Score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/cdreviews/8765165/Kasabian-Velociraptor-CD-review.html | location=London | work=The Daily Telegraph | first=Neil | last=McCormick | title=Kasabian: Velociraptor, CD review | date=15 September 2011}}

| rev13 = Focus

|rev13Score = {{Rating|6|10}}{{cite web|url=http://www.focus.de/kultur/musik/plattenkiste/plattenkritik-kasabian-velociraptor-schwachbruestiger-dinosaurier_aid_666992.html|title=Plattenkritik: Kasabian – "Velociraptor!": Schwachbrüstiger Dinosaurier|author=FOCUS Online|date=20 September 2011|work=FOCUS Online}}

}}

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".{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/velociraptor!/kasabian |title=Velociraptor! Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=12 December 2013}} Their previous best album score was 68, held by West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum (2009).{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/west-ryder-pauper-lunatic-asylum/kasabian |title=West Ryder Pauper Lunatic Asylum Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=12 December 2013}}

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". 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."{{cite web|url=http://www.antiquiet.com/reviews/2011/09/kasabian-velociraptor-review/ |title=Kasabian Swing the Talons with 'Velociraptor!' |publisher=Antiquiet |date=27 September 2011 |access-date=12 December 2013}}

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.{{cite web|title=The Top 20 rock singles and albums of 2011 revealed|url=http://www.theofficialcharts.com/chart-news/the-top-20-rock-singles-and-albums-of-2011-revealed/|publisher=The Official Charts Company|access-date=17 January 2012|date=17 January 2012}} With little support from Sony Music, the album failed to chart in the United States.

{{Track listing

| all_writing = Sergio Pizzorno.

| title1 = Let's Roll Just Like We Used To

| length1 = 4:47

| title2 = Days Are Forgotten

| length2 = 5:02

| title3 = Goodbye Kiss

| length3 = 4:04

| title4 = La Fée Verte

| length4 = 5:47

| title5 = Velociraptor!

| length5 = 2:51

| title6 = Acid Turkish Bath (Shelter from the Storm)

| length6 = 6:01

| title7 = I Hear Voices

| length7 = 3:58

| title8 = Re-Wired

| length8 = 4:44

| title9 = Man of Simple Pleasures

| length9 = 3:51

| title10 = Switchblade Smiles

| length10 = 4:13

| title11 = Neon Noon

| length11 = 5:20

}}

{{track listing

| headline = Deluxe Edition Bonus DVD: Live at The O2 Dublin, 27 November 2009

| title1 = Julie & The Moth Man

| length1 = 8:29

| title2 = Underdog

| length2 = 5:05

| title3 = Where Did All the Love Go?

| length3 = 4:18

| title4 = Swarfiga

| length4 = 2:23

| title5 = Shoot the Runner

| length5 = 4:01

| title6 = Cutt Off

| length6 = 5:29

| title7 = Processed Beats

| length7 = 3:48

| title8 = West Ryder Silver Bullet

| length8 = 6:09

| title9 = Thick as Thieves

| length9 = 3:22

| title10 = Take Aim

| length10 = 6:13

| title11 = Empire

| length11 = 4:23

| title12 = Last Trip (In Flight)

| length12 = 3:03

| title13 = I.D.

| length13 = 5:50

| title14 = Ladies and Gentlemen, Roll the Dice

| length14 = 3:59

| title15 = Fire

| length15 = 5:01

| title16 = Fast Fuse

| length16 = 6:01

| title17 = The Doberman

| length17 = 8:22

| title18 = Club Foot

| length18 = 5:33

| title19 = Vlad the Impaler

| length19 = 6:41

| title20 = Stuntman

| length20 = 5:29

| title21 = L.S.F. (Lost Souls Forever)

| length21 = 10:00

}}

{{track listing

| headline = Japan Only Bonus Tracks

| title12 = Pistols at Dawn

| length12 = 5:18

| title13 = Julie & The Moth Man

| length13 = 5:39

| title14 = Black Whistler

| length14 = 3:41

}}

{{track listing

| headline = Japanese Special Limited Edition Bonus Tracks{{cite web|url=http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/kasabian/discography/SICP-3462|title=ディスコグラフィ - Sony Music|work=sonymusic.co.jp}}

| title15 = Velociraptor!

| note15 = Live in Leicester

| length15 =

| title16 = Re-Wired

| note16 = Live in Leicester

| length16 =

| title17 = Switchblade Smiles

| note17 = Live in Leicester

| length17 =

}}

{{track listing

| headline = Super Deluxe Box Bonus Track

| title12 = Pistols at Dawn

| length12 = 5:18

}}

{{track listing

| headline = Super Deluxe Box / Japanese Special Limited Edition Bonus DVD

| title1 = Let's Roll Just Like We Used To

| length1 = 24:01

| note1 = Documentary

| title2 = The Story of the Velociraptor!

| length2 = 15:57

| note2 = Track by Track Commentary

| title3 = Velociraptor!

| length3 =

| note3 = Vevo Presents: Live in Leicester

| title4 = Days Are Forgotten

| length4 =

| note4 = Vevo Presents: Live in Leicester

| title5 = Re-Wired

| length5 =

| note5 = Vevo Presents: Live in Leicester

| title6 = Underdog

| length6 =

| note6 = Vevo Presents: Live in Leicester

| title7 = Fast Fuse

| length7 =

| note7 = Vevo Presents: Live in Leicester

| title8 = Vlad the Impaler

| length8 =

| note8 = Vevo Presents: Live in Leicester

| title9 = Switchblade Smiles

| length9 =

| note9 = Vevo Presents: Live in Leicester

| title10 = Fire

| length10 =

| note10 = Vevo Presents: Live in Leicester

| title11 = Switchblade Smiles

| length11 =

| note11 = Video

| title12 = Switchblade Smiles

| length12 =

| note12 = Making of

| title13 = Days Are Forgotten

| length13 =

| note13 = Video

| title14 = Days Are Forgotten

| length14 =

| note14 = Making of

| title15 = Re-Wired

| length15 =

| note15 = Video

| title16 = Re-Wired

| length16 =

| note16 = Making of

}}

{{track listing

| headline = Italian Special Edition Bonus Disc – Man of Simple Pleasures Italian Special EP{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.it/Velociraptor-Spec-Edt-Kasabian/dp/B0081II42E/ref=tmm_acd_title_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1401027443&sr=8-1|title=Velociraptor! : Kasabian: Amazon.it: Musica|work=amazon.it}}{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Kasabian-Velociraptor/release/5693501|title=Kasabian - Velociraptor!|website=Discogs|date=6 October 2023 }}

| title1 = Man of Simple Pleasures

| length1 =

| note1 = feat. J-Ax

| title2 = Where Did All the Love Go?

| length2 =

| note2 = Live in Dublin

| title3 = Shoot the Runner

| length3 =

| note3 = Live in Dublin

| title4 = Velociraptor!

| length4 =

| note4 = Live in Leicester

| title5 = Re-Wired

| length5 =

| note5 = Live in Leicester

| title6 = Switchblade Smiles

| length6 =

| note6 = Live in Leicester

| title7 = Julie & The Moth Man

| length7 =

| title8 = Pistols at Dawn

| length8 =

| title9 = Narcotic Farm

| length9 =

}}

{{track listing

| headline = iTunes Store Deluxe Version Bonus Tracks{{cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/de/album/velociraptor-deluxe-version/990331133|title=iTunes - Music - Velociraptor! (Deluxe Version) by Kasabian|work=iTunes|date=16 September 2011}}

| title12 = Pistols at Dawn

| length12 = 5:18

| title13 = Switchblade Smiles

| length13 = 4:16

| note13 = Video

| title14 = Switchblade Smiles

| length14 = 3:08

| note14 = Making of

| title15 = Days Are Forgotten

| length15 = 4:08

| note15 = Video

| title16 = Days Are Forgotten

| length16 = 3:29

| note16 = Making of

| title17 = Re-Wired

| length17 = 4:19

| note17 = Video

| title18 = Re-Wired

| length18 = 3:41

| note18 = Making of

| title19 = The Story of the Velociraptor!

| length19 = 15:53

| note19 = Track by Track Commentary

| title20 = Let's Roll Just Like We Used To

| length20 = 23:56

| note20 = Documentary

}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-3}}

; 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

{{col-3}}

; 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

{{col-3}}

; Technical personnel

• Dan the Automator – production
• Tim Carter, Joe Kearns – engineering
• Stephen McLaughlin – production
• Aitor Throup – design and art direction
• Neil Bedford – photography

{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

{{col-2}}

{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for Velociraptor}}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Italy|artist=Kadabian|title=Velociraptor!| award=Gold | certyear=2013 |relyear=2012 }}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Poland|artist=Kasabian |title=Velociraptor!| award=Gold | certyear=2012 |relyear=2012 }}

{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United Kingdom|artist=Kasabian |title=Velociraptor!| award=Platinum|number=2| certyear=2022|relyear=2012 |certmonth=7|id=10778-477-2|access-date=September 6, 2022}}

{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

{{col-end}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Kasabian}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2011 albums

Category:Albums produced by Dan the Automator

Category:Albums produced by Sergio Pizzorno

Category:Kasabian albums