Since Noel left Oasis, he let his brother Liam offer up the excellent Beady Eye to much acclaim, and although Noel’s album has arrived later, it’s much more main course than a musical appetizer. The work is epic in every way Oasis was, with the added maturity in songwriting and emotional depth not heard since his early days. “Everybody’s On The Run” has the same dramatic sweep of Tears for Fears latter works, and is a great example of symphonic rock. “Dream On” is the type of song that captivates with it’s catchy chorus and background harmonies. The ghost of Ray Davies is oozing all over “The Death Of You And Me” with it’s layered banjos and New Orleans brass section.
Noel doesn’t have Liam’s vocal skills, but he still can impress us with grand compositions. “(I Wanna Live In A Dream In My) Record Machine” is another sweeping anthem with it’s choral flourishes and wall of sound production, comparable to “Champagne Supernova” in scope. The highlights just keep coming from the retro-pop of “Soldier Boys And Jesus Freaks” to the marching bass lead “(Stranded On) The Wrong Beach.” One of the best releases all year – so don’t mourn Oasis… as I see it between the two Gallagher boys you have Oasis x2.
