Ever since I heard about Oasis’ guitarist/songwriter Noel Gallagher’s solo work, I’d been waiting for this album. Rollingstone.com was streaming it before the release date, so I checked it out. The entire album, starting with the first song, “Everybody’s on the Run,” has such a forward driving momentum to it, I just couldn’t stop listening to it. The background vocals, strings, and synths create a very epic sound. Noel’s vocals a very strong throughout, and I can’t help but sing along when I’m listening in the car. In many of the songs, especially “Everybody’s on the Run” and “(I Wanna Live in a Dream in My) Record Machine,” the drums really play an interesting part. They really help build energy and are a major part of the sound.
Though I could pick a few favorites, I would have to go with “If I Had a Gun.” When I first heard the line “Excuse me if I spoke to soon, my eyes have always followed you around the room” it really caught my attention. The chorus is just really cool in that song. What really keeps me listening to this album is how well written it is instrumentally. The album uses a wide variety of instruments, even a few that I couldn’t quite put a finger on. The guitar parts are well put together and continuously interesting. This is one album I’ll be listening to for a while.
Also, I just read that Noel has a new EP, “Songs From the Great White North” coming out soon, so I’ll certainly be looking forward to that! It will only be coming out on vinyl, so I’ll have to dust off the record player. Hope all is well in music and life!
-Eric