Los Angeles Music, Venues, Concerts, Artists and Band Reviews

Inter/Re-View: Oasis, "Dig Out Your Soul"

Finally. The new Oasis album is here. And it rocks!

For those of you less enthused by the artsy-fartsy, t-shirt-and-tie, skin-tight jeans-wearing "indie" bands dominating the UK scene of late, new Oasis album, Dig Out Your Soul, is just what the doctor ordered. Yes mates, Rock n Roll is f*#king back!

In the early 90s, Oasis stormed the stage , so to speak, kicking aside the English shoe-gazing bands of the time, taking over from where the grunge era left off. They did so with great rock songs, celebrating life, rather than singing about how sh*tty everything is.

Recorded at Abbey Road Studios and mixed in Los Angeles by producer Dave Sardy, Dig Out Your Soul sees a return to those happier times, packaged with better musicianship from a band that is clearly very confident in what they're doing - as they should be.

The opening track "Bag it Up," introduces Liam's classic snarling vocals set to a stomping beat that "throws the kitchen sink" at their recent (more subtle) sound.

"The Shock of the Lightning" and "Waiting for the Rapture," mix the old fashioned Oasis formula with a more mature, groove based, and, at times, bluesy rock ‘n roll sound.

Noel Gallagher's track "Falling Down," already re-mixed by the Chemical Brothers, is destined to be a classic with it's simplicity, soulful vocals, and psychedelic lyrics.

High Quality. There's no other word for the production and arrangements throughout the album. Liam Gallagher's voice at times is pure genius, mixing up the classic rock n' roll vocals with a softer approach when needed.

"I'm Outta Time," is the only ballad on the album. Give this one time, because once it gets inside your head, you just can't help but admire the deceptive brilliance!

Dig Out Your Soul will grow on you, with Noel Gallagher's songwriting beaming with the enthusiasm of the glory days of Definitely Maybe, their critically acclaimed debut LP.

Liam Gallagher's three tracks are immediate and simple. Gem Archer (guitarist) and Andy Bell (Bass) offer insightful lyrics set to a heavy and groove-based sound. Songwriting chief Noel Gallagher's tracks are by far the best.

Now, we don't really give a piss whether or not you like these brooding, hard-living, stage-fighting brothers (god knows they sure don't). The Gallaghers are in fact rockstars, the last of a dying breed, who, time and time again, have the ability to write classic songs. And you can't argue with genius.

Liam Gallagher said it best himself: "If you like, it buy it. It you don't, then don't." Simple as that.

Story by The Artist Formerly Known as Jimmy No-Mates.

RECENT IN MUSIC

The venue is packed. Hipsters, punk rockers, and even a few moms and dads clap hands with front man, Eddie >>
Will Echo and the Bunnymen, Devo and Sly and the Family Stone top last year's throwbacks Paul McCartney, The >>
An intimate venue on chilly night provided the setting for Miss Lisa Hannigan to showcase her talent. It also >>
A worthy concept-album that follows the like of Neutral Milk Hotel's Aeroplane over the Sea, The Antlers' >>
The New York pop provocateur Lady Gaga will be showcasing her talents at the Grammy's next month. In the >>
At the end of any good night out, it's inevitable that the DJ is going to hit you with one more song to send >>

The last weekend in August, 68 bands converged on San Francisco's Golden Gate Park for the second annual >>
"I wish I were in a tribe," says now 29-year-old Conor Oberst. "But I'm not...well, maybe the human tribe." >>
SoKo (21) was born in Bordeaux, France as Stéphanie Sokolinski. She started out as an actress and appeared in >>
Feedback Form