Breaking News

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds Album: First Listen











Since departing Oasis in the summer of '09, alt rock fans across the globe have been anticipating the next move of the band's lead songwriter Noel Gallagher.

While most column inches about the guitarist are currently dedicated to his ongoing feud with brother Liam and his outlandish remarks about rock 'n' roll or Lady GaGa, most press would still agree that hype surrounding Gallagher's new solo material is rarely overshadowed.

As you can imagine then, we were more than a little excited when we at Digital Spy were sent an advance copy of said LP last week. Read our first impressions of the tracks below:

'Everybody's On The Run'
"Hang in there love/ You've got to hold on," Noel belts with stadium-rousing gusto over swooping string sections and toe-tapping guitar hooks. The track delivers a dramatic opening to the record and is certainly a festival-ready set opener.

'Dream On'
Pounding beats and heavy guitar strums initially serve as a reminder of Oasis's 2005 album Don't Believe The Truth; reinforced all-the-more by chant's of "Dream On/ Shout it out for me" that wouldn't sound out of place on the terraces of football grounds. Better still, by the song's end we are treated to a jamboree of jazz piano and blues-driven brass.

'If I Had A Gun...'
Definitely the most Oasis-sounding track on the album and currently slated as the record's third single. 'If I Had A Gun...' is a gooey love song with 'Wonderwall'-inspired riffs and a raw, breezy vocal.

'The Death Of You And Me'
You'll already know this one, but the quirky mix of circus-inspired organs and whizzing rattles as Noel sings of escaping his demons sounds as fresh as it did upon its release this summer.

'(I Wanna Live In A Dream In My) Record Machine'
The track starts off as a hazy Britpop number with light guitars and hollow beats, but by the middle eight a whirlpool of rattling cymbals and light thuds give way to a mesmerising electric guitar solo that will easily blow the roof off any live venue.

'AKA... What A Life'
Already available to download as NG's second solo single, 'AKA... What A Life' is a reflective number with toe-tapping beats, grungy disco-riffs and Hacienda-inspired piano tinkles. "I'm going to take that tiger outside for a ride" easily remains the best line in the song.

'Soldier Boys and Jesus Freaks'
Gallagher's political lyricism is given an injection of humour by the track's romp'n'pomp bassline and sassy trumpet solo that conjures up imagery of the village green he takes aim at in the song. There's a distinct whiff of The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper with this one.

'AKA... Broken Arrow'
AKA part two continues to use Spanish-inspired guitar riffs and rumba-styled tom-toms as a backdrop to Gallagher's wistful oohs and poignant lyrics: "She's a siren and I'm a warning," he laments.

'(Stranded On) The Wrong Beach'
"Falling, I'll see you on the way down/ I'll meet you on the rebound/ Somewhere in between," Noel promises over raspy bass and a traditional soft-rock double-clap beat. By the end of the song he asks, "come and rescue me," as waves crash on the shore.

'Stop The Clocks'
Originally an Oasis demo that later leaked online, Noel's version of the track now ten years in the making continues the airy vocal but works in a gentle electronic keyboard riff. After the 2m44s mark a crescendo of crashing cymbals and an impressive guitar solo seals this song's fate as an epic anthem.

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds will be released in the UK on October 17 and the US on November 8.

Source: www.digitalspy.co.uk

No comments