Watch Once in a Lifetime Sessions with Kasabian

Once in a Lifetime Sessions with Kasabian is a music documentary that takes the viewer behind the scenes of the making of Kasabian's critically acclaimed self-titled debut album. Directed by Charlie Lightening, the documentary features the band members themselves - guitarist and songwriter Sergio Pizzorno, lead vocalist Tom Meighan, bassist Chris Edwards, and drummer Ian Matthews - as well as music journalist and broadcaster Lauren Laverne.

The film begins with an introduction to the band members and their early struggles to get noticed in the music industry. As they grew in popularity, they worked tirelessly on their first album, honing their sound and experimenting with new genres. The documentary captures the band's creative process as they work on their songs in the studio, and their performances at various gigs in the UK.

The documentary is divided into chapters that correspond with the tracks on the first album. For each track, the band members explain what it means to them and how it was created, providing fascinating insights into their songwriting process. Through archival footage and interviews, the documentary also explores the band's influences and inspirations, such as The Beatles, The Stone Roses, and Primal Scream.

One of the strengths of the documentary is its focus on the band's personal relationships, which are essential to their creative process. From Sergio and Tom's close friendship to the occasional conflicts between band members, the documentary shows how they channel their personal dynamics into their music.

Aside from the band's own reflections, the documentary features commentary from Lauren Laverne, who provides additional context and insights into Kasabian's music. Laverne's music journalism background adds depth to the documentary, as she draws comparisons between Kasabian and other bands of the era.

Throughout the film, the viewer gets a sense of how the band's sound evolved and matured during the recording process. From the psychedelic "Processed Beats" to the soaring "Club Foot," the band's debut album has a distinctive sound that sets them apart from their contemporaries.

The documentary's climactic moment comes when the band performs their breakthrough hit "L.S.F." at a sold-out show at the Brixton Academy in London. The scene captures the raw energy and excitement of the band's live performances, and it's easy to see why they quickly became one of the UK's most beloved rock bands.

The documentary doesn't shy away from the band's occasional missteps or controversies, such as the backlash following their politically charged performance at the 2003 Glastonbury Festival. However, it is ultimately a celebration of the band's hard work and dedication to their craft, which paid off with the success of their debut album.

Overall, Once in a Lifetime Sessions with Kasabian is an engrossing and insightful documentary that will be an essential viewing for fans of the band. It's a must-watch for anyone interested in the creative process of making music, and the personal dynamics that go into crafting an iconic album.