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Oasis: Dig Out Your Soul
A review of the latest from the Gallagher brothers and co.
It could be argued that Oasis are the biggest band in the world, except in music stakes. The simple fact is that when Oasis release an album, the media goes into overdrive. Recent covers on major music magazines show this.
However, for all the interviews, the most important thing is the music. For a while, Oasis weren’t producing great music. 2000’s Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants was awful, and Heathen Chemistry had too many weak moments. Don’t Believe The Truth heralded a return to form, and popularity, but, now, with Dig Out Your Soul, Oasis are ready to reclaim their throne of biggest and best band in Britain, if not the world.
That’s not to say Dig Out Your Soul reaches the genius achieved by their first three albums, but it’s better than most stuff nowadays (Primal Scream, The Verve, Coldplay), and, live, Oasis are in a class of their own.
The album has been helped by less bluster and pomp from the Gallaghers this time around; no-one said it’s “better than Definitely Maybe”. The lead single, “The Shock Of The Lightning” is psychedelic enough to have come off the debut album; it’s stunning, psychedellic-electronic rock with a driving riff. The drumming is also fantastic; a constant throughout the album, nearly matching Alan White on (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? Unfortunately, Zak Starkey has left the band, replaced by Chris Sharrock.
When Noel said that the album was going to be more “groove-based”, many groaned and assumed that it just meant turning up the bass. That turned out to be true, but there is much more that differs from previous efforts. The increased use of keyboards is welcome, especially with the layered playing on “The Turning”, one of Noel’s best songs for the album.
Noel wrote six songs, and they are all, except for “(Get Off Your) High Horse Lady”, superb. “Bag It Up”, with lyrics like “freaks are rising up from the floor” is a great opener, and “The Turning” has possibly the strangest Oasis lyric: ”Shake your reptile, baby!”
The Noel-sung “Waiting For The Rapture” is a dark-horse, next is the single, then we are hit with a rather brilliant Liam track: “I’m Outta Time” is a very good song, complete with dialogue from John Lennon’s last interview. There is a vulnerable tone (“If I’m to fall, would you be there to applaud?”) that brings to mind shades of “Wonderwall”, yet I can’t see this one going to Number One in 32 countries, if, as expected, it’s released as a single. The appalling “High Horse” is next, with tiresome music and irritating Noel vocals. “Falling Down” comes next, which is Noel’s best vocal.
Then, Dig Out Your Soul runs into trouble. There are two tracks from the rhythm section that we could have done without and Liam’s poor “Soldier On”. “Ain’t Got Nothin’” about a fight Liam had in 2002, is a hard-rocking, bluesy waltz with squalling guitars.
Don’t Believe The Truth had a very poor second half, but it’s retro charm got it through. Dig Out Your Soul is more consistent, and has a higher standard of songs, even though “The Importance Of Being Idle” wasn’t bettered here.
Sometimes, it doesn’t feel like an Oasis album though. There’s no anthem, like “Live Forever”, and there are loads of religious lyrics; many references to “rapture” and “the light.” There are no real choruses either, which is a surprise, as no-one does choruses better than Noel. The vocals are great throughout. Liam sounds the best since 1996 and Noel is at his best. This is a good album but there is a feeling that Oasis aren’t still “Supersonic”.
For die-hard fans, the Limited Edition Super-Deluxe box set, with an extra CD and DVD, beautiful booklet and four vinyls is an absolute must. It can be bought from www.oasisinet.com.
Rating: 7.5/10
By: Ciaran Leinster
