THE band is a landmark.... A paradox....And no matter how much controversy it seems to stir up, within as well as outside the group, success seems to follow it wherever it goes - from the first live gig in August 1991 at the boardwalk club in Manchester to the back-to-back success with from Definitely Maybe (1994), (What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995), Be Here Now (1997), to Don't Believe The Truth (2005).
And now, the Manchunian rock band phenomenon Oasis is back once again zooming to the top of the charts with its seventh studio album, Dig OutYour Soul.
With Liam Gallagher on vocals, brother Noel on vocals, electric guitar, drums, keyboards and electronics, Gem Archer (formerly of HeavyStereo) on bass and keyboards, Andy Bell on bass, keyboards and tambora, and Zack Starkey on drums, Dig Out Your Soul is sure to bring back its glory days.
The band was named Britain's most successful act of the 1990s by the Guinness Book of World Records, with eight No 1 pop hit singles including Some Might Say (1995), All Around The World (1998), The Hindu Times(2002), Lyla and The Importance Of Being Idle (2005) - that seems to have eluded them these past few years with the emergence of younger blood.
This time around, Noel set out to write music that had more of a groove. Archer and Bell contributed a song each - the hypnotic To BeWhere There's Life and the rockier The Nature Of Reality - but they do nothing to challenge Noel's title of the chief when it comes to songwriting.
The album starts off with Bag It Up, a ramshackle speedfreak racket with Liam taking refuge from "the freaks coming up through the floor" with his "heebeegeebies in a little bag".
Oddly enough, it contains areference to pouring yourself a cup of twinning's Lady Grey, and not about any weed of any kind.
Blasts of chest-out noise, the brothers Gallagher on vocals, and ringing guitar lines that end in a suitably bombastic crescendo make Bag It Up a great opening number.
Waiting For Rapture is another pugnacious stomper, with a cracking chorus to boot, this time with Noel at the vocal helm. It's both dirty and spacey at the same time. It's a great mix.
Falling Down has chillier tones and a catchy chorus, unlike anything Oasis has recorded before.
As with other albums, the Beatles influences are ever-present - from the Dear Prudence guitar at the end of The Turning to the Give Peace A Chance clap and stomp of (Get off Your) High Horse Lady.
Not surprisingly, (Get off Your) High Horse Lady is easily one of the album's favourite. Noel's voice and the guitar sounds like they wererecorded through an old radio, giving the song a spooky sound when combined with the big drums, hand claps, and guitar riffs.
I'm Outta Time, a ballad by Liam and dedicated to John Lennon, seems tobe about the disenchantments of growing old. It also includes Lennon'svoice sample. It's likely to be the favourite track of many who hear this album as it features one of Oasis' best melodies ever and Liam sings itbeautifully.
The sitarish psychedelic To Be Where There's Life is a slow burner, while The Nature Of Reality has an incredible Led Zeppelin-esque stomp which mixes in perfectly with a terrific guitar riff.
The album closes with the haunting Soldier On, with Liam's vocals echoeing at the end. It offers a sense of the close of a really beautiful tripped-out dream.
Oasis have long been remarkable for the catchy tunes and riffs itwrites and now it is just as remarkable for the creative arrangements,songwriting and production the band brings to the table.
The cover art promises psychedelia... And Dig Out Your Soul delivers. - NST 19/10/2008
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