Music review: Liam Gallagher – ‘As You Were’
I really miss Oasis.
While on vacation, my daily reading involved “Your Favorite Band is Killing Me” by Steven Hyden. In the book, Hyden outlines what pop music rivalries really reveal about the meaning of life. In one of the chapters, Hyden examines the feud between Oasis and Blur and the quest to achieve musical supremacy. The book is an enjoyable read, and I highly recommend it to anyone who has a passion for music.
To be clear, I’m firmly on the Oasis side after never really yielding to the Blur bandwagon. After reading Hyden’s entertaining insights, I had the strong urge to rediscover the two Oasis albums that left the biggest impact on me and millions of others as well.
With “Definitely Maybe,” brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher proclaimed their new rock star status back in 1994 with brash and infectious tracks like “Rock ‘n’ Roll Star” and “Cigarettes and Alcohol.”
A year later, the brothers delivered a true Britpop masterpiece with “(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?” by offering glorious tracks such as “Wonderwall” and “Champagne Supernova.”
Six albums later and after tenacious quarrels too numerous to list, the talented brothers parted ways and left the Oasis they created.
After side projects by both brothers, Liam releases his first solo effort with “As You Were.” And I couldn’t be happier.
I’m sure Oasis fans feel the same. It’s a glorious return to the classic Oasis sound that propelled the band to worldwide stardom and secured a place in rock history.
Opening track “Wall of Glass” sets the stage for the barrage of infectious, soaring and engaging tales dripping of pure rock coolness laced with soaring pop sensibilities.
“Bold” follows with its hypnotic hooks that detail confessions of regret and lost opportunities.
“Greedy Soul” is a rousing burner that packs plenty of charisma and I-don’t-care attitude.
The highlight of the album comes when Gallagher slows things down to examine loneliness on the moving “Paper Crown” as the 45-year-old sings, “Now it’s better if you hold your breath and don’t look down/At the pages of your paper crown.”
“I’ve All I Need” closes the set with Gallagher perhaps proclaiming that he’s truly ready to stand on his own and happy to step out from his older brother’s shadow, making “As You Were” one of my favorite releases of the year.
I guess it’s time for big brother to see if he’s up to the tall task of delivering a gem with his upcoming new release.
I’m sure the two brothers will have a lot to say to each other in the months to come.
That’s certainly good news for Oasis fans everywhere.
Clint Rhodes is the Herald-Standard music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.