Let me first say that anyone that knows me is probably shocked I have not written about Oasis yet in this blog. I could probably spend 3 entries along discussing the finer points of Be Here Now (an album hated by most including the man who wrote it, Noel Gallagher. I on the other hand consider it to be a masterpiece…and also an example of how cocaine can really make you lose focus). I have defended my love of this band for 16 years will still stand by my claim that Oasis was one of the most influential bands of the 90’s. You don’t believe me? Go to a bar next Friday and play Champagne Supernova or Don’t Look Back in Anger on the jukebox. I’ll meet you there. It’ll be fun. We’ll have some beers and sing along.
Despite my love (i.e. awkward obsession) of Oasis, I really did not expect much from Liam Gallagher’s first post-Oasis venture, Beady Eye. Too be honest, the last album Oasis put out didn’t do a ton for me and I finally accepted that it was just time to accept that their best days were behind them. I’m a mature adult. I can accept and admit things like this now (you can’t see it but I’m sobbing uncontrollably right now). Plus Liam Gallagher has really dropped the ball ever since Noel let him start contributing songs. I’m pretty sure Noel has done this out of spite. He hates Liam so much that he’s willing to have horrible songs on his album just so the whole world realizes his brother is a horrible songwriter and how much weight he has to carry in Oasis. This of course goes completely over Liam’s head.
Thankfully Liam has Andy Bell and Gem Archer to help him out because Liam made a damn good album without Noel.
Beady Eye is the last incarnation of Oasis minus Noel Gallagher but it’s also a Britpop supergroup. Liam Gallagher of Oasis on vocals, Andy Bell of Ride on lead guitar, Gem Archer of Heavy Stereo on rhythm guitar, and to a lesser degree Chris Sharrock of the La’s and Robbie Williams on drums. I know! It’s kind of awesome when you think of it like that. It’s the album that all of those bands trying to ride the Britpop bandwagon in the mid to late 90’s were trying to make. It’s what Coverdale Page was to Led Zeppelin. It’s the ultimate Oasis rip off.
The songs are kind of all over the place as far as sound. Sometime psychedelic, sometimes Beatles and Stones (though oddly enough, not really on the song titled Beatles and Stones), and at one point Ricky Nelson. The album is definitely deeply rooted in the 60’s. The opening track, Four Letter Word is a great song with a ton of attitude. So much attitude that I’m kind of worried it has caused me to strut down Lincoln Ave while listening to it on my headphones. The album is very stripped down and simple, which is what rock n’ roll should be. It’s got catchy hooks and some really good guitar grooves. It’s a fun fucking album to listen too. The first time I listened to it I put the it on and started working on something else. By the second song I was no longer really paying attention to my work and instead was bobbing my head and playing air guitar.
However, there are some duds on the album. Particularly the song Kill for a Dream which proves Liam Gallagher must be signing everyones paychecks because there is no way in hell any man with an ounce of talent would allow this on their album. This ranks up there with Liam’s song Little James on the Oasis album Standing on the Shoulder of Giants. Someone needs to explain to Liam that every line does not need to rhyme. Jesus. Ultimately though, it’s all good.
Beady Eye’s debut album Different Gear, Still Speeding, isn’t going to change the world, nor will it start a rock revolution like the early days of Oasis, but it’s a good rock album. Liam Gallagher doesn’t want to sound like Oasis did 15 years ago (and frankly, he can’t. The guy that wrote all the songs left his ass.) but he still wants to make rock n’ roll. I wish more bands I liked when I was younger took this approach to making albums these days (I’m looking at you Radiohead). You can change and grow as an artist and you can also still make rock n’ roll.
Nice job Liam…I bet your brother’s album will be better though.
