Different Gear, Still Speeding [CD]

Yes the members are Oasis without Noel but the sound isnt. Its a great album and more beatle-esqe that Oasis was. Its one of those things, i dont think they'll grow to be as big as oasis but if they came before oasis they would be, excelllent album

I was once one of the biggest Oasis fans on the planet. I adored the first three albums, and the fifth album (Heathen Chemistry) also holds some great memories for me. However, after that I felt they lost something, and the final two albums were uninspired, lazy, and just plain boring. In terms of musicianship, this was probably the era in which they possessed the most talent, with Gem Archer and Andy Bell in the band. Despite some tight playing, strong production, and decent-ish songs, the records just left me feeling cold. A band that once had so much swagger, raw attitude, and just genuinely brilliant songs, had run out of steam and were simply going through the motions.

When Liam announced that he and the majority of the late band members were going out on their own straight away, part of me thought okay, this could be interesting. Another part if me thought, right, more of the same then. And when Liam came out with his predictable "we're the best band in the world at them moment, no doubt about it" rubbish, I virtually lost all hope. Hearing the first single did little to reignite my interest. It isn't bad, but it just sounds like Liam trying really hard to sound like he isn't trying really hard to play straight-up rock 'n' roll.... if that makes sense.

Still, I had to give the album a chance, and I'm glad I did. Yes, at times he appears to cringingly rip-off the likes of The Who and John Lennon, but not all the time. Some of the songs have far more freshness and bite than anything released by Oasis in the last 6 years, and the musicianship, as expected, is fantastic.

Those who enjoyed Oasis' later material will love this record, and younger listeners who perhaps aren't blinded by the nostalgia of the Gallagher brothers' former brilliance will also probably accept DG,SS as the enjoyable rock album that it is.

As I said previously, I expected Liam to fail to back up his self-generated ego and deliver an uninspired, dull, derivative record. I am delighted that what he has actually come up with is a gutsy and fun album.

However, for me it's got three stars written all over it. Why? Quite simply, although it is solid, it does not have one 'wow' moment, and as a whole, bears no real incentive for me to ever run to the CD shelves, pluck it out, and stick it on. Beady Eye have promise. But sadly, I will probably not play the album again until the weeks leading up to an inevitable second LP, which of course, I will await with interest.

It's hard for a revamped band to make headway, but don't feel sorry for them. Beady Eye's first album was always going to attract a certain level of sales and a certain level of abject praise from fans, simply because it was the re-birth of Oasis; minus Noel of course. And all of us were a little curious as to how the chemistry would work. Equally, the album was always going to attract a level of opprobrium and disappointment from critics and fans alike - because it was Oasis re-born; minus Noel of course. Hence, you read on the one hand that it is the biggest piece of junk for some time and on the other hand that it is the greatest Gallagher album since 'Morning Glory'. So which is it ? It depends on what you like and what you are seeking to listen to, and the moment I start telling you how good or bad it is, stop reading and have a listen for yourself. But before you do, here are a few clues as to what you can hope to expect from it. Firstly, it sounds remarkably like Oasis of course, but some tracks are difficult to place anywhere into the Oasis catalogue since the remaining members have managed to push out into new directions at times, presumably their 'different gear'. At least they have tried something beyond just another Oasis album, given the final Oasis album showed some bereftness of ideas. Secondly, the album is mostly pretty raucous in sound. Thirdly, there are moments that are clear tributes/rip-offs (depending on your mood and attitude) of 60s icon bands - Beatles, Stones, Byrds and even rock'n' roll stomps. The production is fine, the nasal vocals of Liam Gallagher prevalent except on one whimsical balled 'For Anyone' where he demonstrates a refreshing extension of his range on a successfully catchy tune (with a sound paying homage to the Byrds). The singles 'Four Letter Word' and 'Bring The Light' are more typical of the pounding, loud guitar based sound, whiel 'Millionnaire' and 'The Roller' provide some colour and contrast. After repeated listens and as someone who is always happy to listen to much of the Oasis output, it presents as a solid enough collection and worth the investment in the deluxe package certainly, but it lacks that one stand-out moment, the 'hit' track which would make this a 5 star classic. Finally, a review of the 2nd DVD disc - the making-of doco 'Rak them Out' is worth the look and follows the same sort of production as previous Oasis docos - we hear a bit of most tracks, plenty of Liam expletives and a few other insights from the band members, all pretty engaing stuff. The three clips are pretty mundane as far as rock videos go, although some of the camera work on 'Bring The Light' helps to add to the energy in the music. But it is all 'live band playing' style videos. At least you hear an extra track with the final video 'Sons of the Stage' and it's not a bad song. So in summary, the album does not surprise but is a solid start for the re-born band and good luck for their proposed next album as well. It's far from the worst thing you'll hear while not really reaching the classic album level either. But a word to some reviewers, especially in the negative press - if you want to hear 'change your life' lyrics, or spectacular acoustic ballads or whatever else you criticise Beady Eye for failing to deliver, choose more carefully. AFter all, you don't go along to Billy Connolly and complain that it's not Shakespeare and there's a bit of swearing on stage.