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Rating:

BACK IN 1995, my father purchased Don’t Look Back In Anger on at the tender age of six. How much has changed in those years; since reaching their musical and commercial magnus opus with (What’s the Story) Morning Glory, Oasis have drifted from their projected path. Be Here Now was simply too long and not interesting enough, Standing On The Shoulders of Giants saw the band splinter with the old guard leaving, Heathen Chemistry saw the band scaling back to basics and Don’t Believe The Truth was their most successful album in years.

Anticipation has been running high for Dig Out Your Soul. Their first release in over two years, the Gallagher brothers have been proclaiming this as their finest in years, and a return to grandure. This may a common sales tactic but Noel and Liam have a point this time. Unlike their past few releases, the album is heavy with Liam’s classic Manchester drawl and luscious grooves. Most of Dig Out Your Soul has distinct influences of Led Zeppelin and The Who. The powerful drumming on Zeppelin classics like Whole Lotta Love and Kashmir can be spotted on Falling Down. Not surprisingly, it would not be Oasis without borrowing a few ideas. I’m Outta Time is their most Lennon-esque composition yet and The Turning has a great similarity to Cliff Richard’s 1976 hit Devil Woman, this must be a new low! The cover is has come from the hands of Peter Blake, designer of the legendary Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band cover.

Radio 1 have been pumping out the lead single The Shock of the Lightening recently and this is one of the least impressive tracks. It’s stereotypically Oasis and doesn’t showcase their new sonic explorations. Bag It Up prepares you for the rest of the album, with a much better lift off. It is ironic that the brilliant rhythm section found here has been broken apart before the album was even released. Zak Starkey (son of Ringo) has filled the drumming position with Oasis since 2004, splitting his time with Tho Who and Oasis, drumming My Generation with both bands. However, after a disagreement with Noel, the position of drummer has changed again.

Oasis have spent the past ten years proving they are the world’s biggest and best rock and roll band and Dig Out Your Soul is their true return to form. Nothing of the grandure of Champagne Supernova or Live Forever can be found inside. However, in the Oasis catalogue, it rates higher than all their albums since (What’s The Story) Morning Glory. It is a reminder that they are one of the last true English Rock and Roll bands that provide fantastic guitar driven music. Oasis are back and Dig Out Your Soul is their long due return to form.

Originally published in Palatinate Issue 699