WORDS JANET HARDING
Album review
Liam Gallagher, John Squire
The promise from Liam Gallagher himself that this album will be “the best bits of Oasis with the best bits of the Stone Roses” was enough! A collaboration of this scale between two Mancunian icons and indie rock n roll legends has been longed for by millions, billions, eager for a hybrid of two of Manchester’s finest and the incredible and adored sounds of both.
From the opening bars of the first song, ‘Raise your hands’ I’m hit with real nostalgia fuelling sound. It’s safe to say Liam Gallagher’s vocal captures that whole essence of a 90s era. These sounds lovingly wrap themselves around us; it’s like welcoming an old friend within a musical embrace. The feels are uplifting, feel good, intoxicating, very high vibrational, sunshine vocals with that famous grate, the drawn out pronunciation providing identity and filling every word with character and expression.
Guitar lines are nothing short of exquisite (we expected nothing less), defined, complex and filled with textures, from soaring and melodic almost transcendental to gritty and raw with extended sections and real earworm hooks and riffs. Given that a basketball hand injury nearly left John unable to play guitar, we can appreciate this even more so!
It’s a magical chemistry between front man swagger and stunning vocals with genius guitarmanship and honestly some brilliant song writing! Lyrics maybe aren’t so expansive, but with Liam’s deliverance they seem revelation like and ‘just work’. He manages even to make the colours of the rainbow seem cool and rock‘n’roll-right. Not only is this album a musical meander back in time sound wise, it’s an eclectic mix of inspiration and genres, all wrapped up in that much loved Oasis/Stone Roses sound with a rock n roll stamp firmly upon it. It feels new, fresh and current, yet we also wander through psychedelic Beatlesque moments; we dip into blues alongside the afore mentioned rock n roll greatness that just can’t help but be at the very heart of this.
‘I’m a wheel’ is firmly blues based; it’s moody, melancholy and brimming with atmosphere. Liam’s vocal meshes seamlessly into this style, whilst John’s guitar skills come into their own; slides and riffs whip this into some addictive frenzy. Very immersive and truly does transport us to another place as we easily conjure up images of rocking chairs on porches in some New Orleans street somewhere.
The piano sections in ‘You’re not the only one’ is another real nod to this bluesy style, real Louisiana blue skies Americana feeling. This album does deliver its promise; when two British musical masters join forces and such vibrant creativity converges it’s a very special thing, and this album is a very fine example of this. It could so easily have disappointed as it’s been so eagerly awaited and on such a huge scale, but it truly pays off. It was worth the wait for such a collaboration; a mutual admiration shines through with multi faceted sounds and a rich tapestry of inspirations and influences. Brimming with positivity, totally listenable and you really do want more and more.
An album that’s sure to stand the test of time and become a much loved favourite in all our collections.
9/10
Track listing
Raise your hands
Mars to Liverpool
One day at a time
I’m a wheel
Just another rainbow
Love you forever
Make it up as you go along
You’re not the only one
I’m so bored
Mother Nature’s Song
FOLLOW LIAM GALLAGHER
FOLLOW JOHN SQUIRE
Music is my lifeblood and writing about this creative force is my passion.Im never happier than at a live gig,festival or listening to music,pen and notebook in hand.
