Noel Gallagher -鈥楴oel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds’
The much-anticipated solo debut from Noel Gallagher doesn’t stray far from the Oasis sound that dominated the British music scene during the ’90s. Noel and his brother, Liam, left a huge impression on me with the debut release “Definitely Maybe,” containing one of my favorite Oasis songs with the Johnny Rotten-laced “Cigarettes and Alcohol.” Oasis followed the next year with “(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?” yielding a well-polished assortment of introspective arrangements. The weight of the seven-minute epic, “Champagne Supernova” and the majestic construction of “Wonderwall” made this Oasis album an instant classic and a listening staple in my car for several months.
Unable to play nice, the brothers split in 2009 to pursue solo ambitions with Liam releasing “Different Gear, Still Speeding” as the band Beady Eye in early 2011. Brother Noel follows with his own creation named after an old Jefferson Airplane tune. The former Oasis songwriter, guitarist and producer spins a collection of solidly melodic arrangements featuring the trademark Oasis vibe from earlier days. Favorites include the infectious “Soldier Boys and Jesus Freaks,” the melancholy “If I Had a Gun…” and the hauntingly beautiful “Stop the Clocks.” While both brothers’ solo efforts shine in their own special ways, these two talents artists are at their best when performing together (when they can stand each other). Musically, you could certainly say that two Gallaghers are better than one.
For now, we are left to enjoy the splintered works and sounds that combined, once provided an oasis of intoxicating Britpop not soon forgotten.