Oasis
Dig Out Your Soul
Noel Gallagher
Liam Gallagher
Gem Archer
Andy Bell
Zak Starkey
Oasis are a band of great importance to the British Music scene, mainly because there aren't many bands around today truly able to take the crown from them that they took at their height as britpop behemoths in the 90's. Kasabian have the ability, but it's sometimes a bit hit & miss (fingers crossed for april). Arctic Monkeys have the consistency, but not the personality and swagger to capture a nation. And the Kaiser Chiefs are total sh*t in both departments.
So as the great britpop beast staggered into the new millenium they released two frankly sub par albums for their standards. Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants felt scattered and unfinished, partly due to the departure of two core members, and Heathen Chemistry suffered due to Noel's poor attempt at being a super producer. But sub par records that were still an arm and a leg above most records being churned out by bands in the UK
Dont Believe The Truth, was the album that reinvigorated the band and reinstated them as more than a bunch of has-beens. It was fresh and spawned two number one singles. And then we heard the great comeback album was on the cards, an album to match the two first records.
Dig Out Your Soul.
Lets get this out of the way, this isn't as good as Definitely Maybe and hasn't got any instant classics like Morning Glory, but that was a different time and you cannot surely expect 11 wonderwalls for your money. But the album is truly a classic in its own right and stands alongside the two giant records with ease. This - as much as I love that album - is what Be Here Now should have been when they released their third album.
What you get in this album is a signal of intent from a band who have rediscovered a love for what they do again. All four songwriters seem to have finally gelled together and the result is a cohesive record from start to finish that is much greater than the sum of its parts.
Bag It Up - A Noel penned tune written when he was ''arseholed'' in the studio. Fans will instantly recognize that as a good sign and sure enough a powerful, though totally nonsensical stomper is born and builds and builds until finally an explosion creates a crescendo that truly leaves you with jaw wide open.
The Turning - Hypnotic groove filled rocker, sounds a little like Cliff's 'Devil Woman' but I'm sure it wasn't intentional...
Waiting For The Rapture - Album Highlight, a great use of power chords brings a Door's feel to this tune, the first Noel sung track, it really makes you wonder what a solo Noel record could become.
Shock Of The Lightning - Thunderous guitars, an equally ludicrous and brilliant drum solo and Liam at his snarling best. 5 stars.
I'm Outta Time - Slightly overhyped by the band and the media I feel, but nonetheless, Liams greatest song, even mroe so than Songbird.
High Horse Lady - Gets slated beyond belief but I honestly think as part of the album this fits perfectly.
Falling Down - Album highlight just for the change in direction by Noel. The best song he has written since Half The World Away.
To Be Where Theres Life - This is ok. It drags for me though. Find the Richard Fearless Remix, it is far superior to this and it is the version they play live.
Aint Got Nothin' - Liam by numbers. A ballsy rocker that is in the same vein as 'The Meaning of Soul' Nothing clever, but it's pretty awesome.
The Nature of Reality - Andy Bells contribution gets slated almost as much as High Horse Lady on the forums. Lucky for him that I disagree with them again, this isn't great, but it's one of the heavier tracks and well worth a listen.
Soldier On - An old song found by The Coral in an old studio. When they were finally convinced it was actually an Oasis song, the band decided to include it on the album as a perfect closer, with a trippy fade out accompanying a hypnotic bassline. Good stuff.
No Morning Glory. No Definately Maybe. But one hell of an album that shows a sign of intent from a reinvigorated bunch of 40-somethings.
4/5 Stars
LG
Dig Out Your Soul
Noel Gallagher
Liam Gallagher
Gem Archer
Andy Bell
Zak Starkey
Oasis are a band of great importance to the British Music scene, mainly because there aren't many bands around today truly able to take the crown from them that they took at their height as britpop behemoths in the 90's. Kasabian have the ability, but it's sometimes a bit hit & miss (fingers crossed for april). Arctic Monkeys have the consistency, but not the personality and swagger to capture a nation. And the Kaiser Chiefs are total sh*t in both departments.
So as the great britpop beast staggered into the new millenium they released two frankly sub par albums for their standards. Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants felt scattered and unfinished, partly due to the departure of two core members, and Heathen Chemistry suffered due to Noel's poor attempt at being a super producer. But sub par records that were still an arm and a leg above most records being churned out by bands in the UK
Dont Believe The Truth, was the album that reinvigorated the band and reinstated them as more than a bunch of has-beens. It was fresh and spawned two number one singles. And then we heard the great comeback album was on the cards, an album to match the two first records.
Dig Out Your Soul.
Lets get this out of the way, this isn't as good as Definitely Maybe and hasn't got any instant classics like Morning Glory, but that was a different time and you cannot surely expect 11 wonderwalls for your money. But the album is truly a classic in its own right and stands alongside the two giant records with ease. This - as much as I love that album - is what Be Here Now should have been when they released their third album.
What you get in this album is a signal of intent from a band who have rediscovered a love for what they do again. All four songwriters seem to have finally gelled together and the result is a cohesive record from start to finish that is much greater than the sum of its parts.
Bag It Up - A Noel penned tune written when he was ''arseholed'' in the studio. Fans will instantly recognize that as a good sign and sure enough a powerful, though totally nonsensical stomper is born and builds and builds until finally an explosion creates a crescendo that truly leaves you with jaw wide open.
The Turning - Hypnotic groove filled rocker, sounds a little like Cliff's 'Devil Woman' but I'm sure it wasn't intentional...
Waiting For The Rapture - Album Highlight, a great use of power chords brings a Door's feel to this tune, the first Noel sung track, it really makes you wonder what a solo Noel record could become.
Shock Of The Lightning - Thunderous guitars, an equally ludicrous and brilliant drum solo and Liam at his snarling best. 5 stars.
I'm Outta Time - Slightly overhyped by the band and the media I feel, but nonetheless, Liams greatest song, even mroe so than Songbird.
High Horse Lady - Gets slated beyond belief but I honestly think as part of the album this fits perfectly.
Falling Down - Album highlight just for the change in direction by Noel. The best song he has written since Half The World Away.
To Be Where Theres Life - This is ok. It drags for me though. Find the Richard Fearless Remix, it is far superior to this and it is the version they play live.
Aint Got Nothin' - Liam by numbers. A ballsy rocker that is in the same vein as 'The Meaning of Soul' Nothing clever, but it's pretty awesome.
The Nature of Reality - Andy Bells contribution gets slated almost as much as High Horse Lady on the forums. Lucky for him that I disagree with them again, this isn't great, but it's one of the heavier tracks and well worth a listen.
Soldier On - An old song found by The Coral in an old studio. When they were finally convinced it was actually an Oasis song, the band decided to include it on the album as a perfect closer, with a trippy fade out accompanying a hypnotic bassline. Good stuff.
No Morning Glory. No Definately Maybe. But one hell of an album that shows a sign of intent from a reinvigorated bunch of 40-somethings.
4/5 Stars
LG
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