Standing on the Shoulder Of Giants [Explicit Lyrics]

Number 1 single 'Go Let It Out' follows and, whilst it's not the best Oasis single ever released, it is still a great track. Not as powerful as 'D'you Know What I Mean?' but still having the feel-good charm of 'Roll With It' and 'Shakermaker' and containing a classic "ugh" from Liam after the 1st chorus, 'Go Let It Out' builds up so much that it explodes with an crescendo of Liam's amazing vocal and another of Noels fantastic solo's. It may not be 'Live Forever' but don't underestimate 'Go Let It Out', it's a brilliant track.

So far so good. 'Who Feels Love?' is a fantastic psychadelic George Harrison style track. Very spiritual in lyrical content and nice use of backwards guitars. Again, not quite up to the standard of former glories, but we can't keep comparing everything Oasis do to the 'Definitely Maybe' and 'Morning Glory' days. Although it was maybe a bit too bland for radio airplay as a single, this is still a solid track.

'Put Yer Money Where Yer Mouth Is' is the first of the "weaker" tracks. Having read some reviews, this is classed as an "up-tempo rocker", which is true, but for those expecting 'Headshrinker' or 'Bring It On Down', you will be disapointed. The lyrics are the fundamental flaw but to be honest the music isn't that great either. To be honest, there are worse songs out there. However, for me this track doesn't cut the ice.

One thing worth noticing about 'Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants' is the contrast of lyrical quality. 'Where Did It All Go Wrong?', 'Who Feels Love?', 'Sunday Morning Call' and especially 'Gas Panic!' are fine examples of the excellent lyrics Noel is able to write. However, songs such as 'Put Yer Money Where Yer Mouth Is', 'Little James' and 'I Can See A Liar' suffer somewhat from bad lyrics. Liams 'Little James' is possibly the most tragic of these 3 as the 1st and 3rd verses are beautiful, very reflective and touching from Liam. Personally, in my opinion I think that the "nursery-rhyme-like" 2nd verse lets the song down though. However, Liam isn't stupid, he knew what he was writing and he probably intended for it to sound somewhat innocent and childlike to link in with the twinkling piano and choir. They almost pulled it off, and part of me respects them for it. However, the other half of me can't help feeling a little bit dissapointed that such a huge rock 'n' roll band are writing lyrics such as this. Lyrics aside the vocals are superb and the music is near perfect, although by the end of the album those church-choir effects are a little annoying, as they appear again in 'Sunday Morning Call'.

'Gas Panic!' is dark, sinister and cold and sounds like a more emphatic and glorified version of 'Fade-In Out' (one of 'Be Here Now's finest tracks). The claustrauphobic acoustic intro erupts into a grandious of rock, with lyrics crafted by Noel about the paranoia of cocaine psychosis, the perennial aftershock to the cocaine theme of 1995's title track 'Morning Glory' ("My family don't seem so familiar and my enemies all know my name"). The harmonica enhanced guitar solo is the icing on the cake. Best track on the album.

Close behind in second place is the classic 'Where Did It All Go Wrong?'. Noels vocal is the best since 'Talk Tonight' and 'Don't Look Back In Anger'. Again, brilliant lyrics and a great ending of guitars. Very powerful.

'Sunday Morning Call' is another Oasis great, although the previous track seems a more attractive proposition as a single release. The beauty of the lines "it's ok, it's alright" and the imensely powerful outro of "Will It Ever Work Out Right?", dealing with similar themes as 'Where Did It All Go Wrong?' Another beautifully crafted track.

'I Can See A Liar' is, musically, a classic Oasis rocker with a riff and guitar solo to rival some tracks from 'Definitely Maybe' and has another strong vocal from Liam. However, once again the lyrics falter. But could you really imagine Liam singing deep, thoughtful and meaningful lyrics to such a raucous tune?

'Roll It Over' is the most disappointing track on the album for me. While the verses are slightly emotive, the bridge is awful and the chorus a bit of a non-event. Some compare it to 'The Masterplan' and 'Champagne Supernova', a huge exagerration in my opinion, relying to heavily on Beatles licks, and with poor lyrics for the bridge and chorus.

A mixed bag, generally good though. Tracks 6, 7 and 8 deal with some of the problems the band has face, mainly the rock 'n' roll lifestyle and the come down off drugs. These are possibly the most personal tracks Noel has ever written. He seems to be getting a lot off his chest which, while not as good as the first 2 albums, makes this Oasis' most important album. It allows the band to put the past mistakes and drrug problems behind them, the parting with Bonehead and Guigsy is cast aside and this acts as a transition between the old Oasis line-up and the new one. Not brilliant, patchy in places, but when its good, its very, very good.