I’ve never really fucked with Oasis, and the opening of this album made me wonder if that was a mistake. The first four tracks are incredibly strong, and oof the drums, mixing and vocal production are all absolute 🔥. The songs are good. Once we’re past Don’t Look Back In Anger (their best song imo), however, its a steep slide into a tedious and repetitive offering Liam’s limited vocal range, Brit Invasion inspired riffs & Beatlesque harmonies (She’s Electric could pass for an Abbey Road B-side) to carry us through the remainder of the album until the Champagne Supernova closer (ok, this is probably objectively their best song.)
A pleasant, if underwhelming listen.
It’s a bop, a vibe, a glam rock gem. Respectable 3
This is a great album to have on in the background while socialising, but it’s not one I’d reach for to actively listen to. The use of cowbell, agogô (your girl loves an agogô bell) and laser drops are a sensory yum, there’s no other way to put it.
I’m trying to limit 4 and 5 to objectively exceptional albums & personal favourites- this deserves a 3.5 realistically, but since we can’t do halves my hands are tied.
New York I Love You But You’re Bringing Me Down is a multiple playlist staple for me and deserves a special mention.
I enjoyed this much more than I wanted to.
Andy Rourke’s sublime bass work deserves all five stars.
The album deserves four, but I am deducting one star, because fuck you, Morrissey.
In summary:
Andy: perfect 5/7 score 🌟
Album: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Morrissey: 🚫
Day 5: I’ve hit the first truly great album in this cycle.
I’ve never taken the time to listen to any Dylan album start to finish and I’ve been remiss in doing so.
I love a weird, distinctive voice. I love a good songwriter.
I like the harmonica in general, but it’s overused here.
3 stars feels too little, but this isn’t a perfect album despite the fact it is a no skips gem I’d recommend to anyone.
I would deduct a half point for gratuitous mouth organ fuckery if I could.
It feels…. almost incorrect to give this a 3 because it is Fela Kuti AND Ginger Baker BUT: this is a live album, and a very meandering one.
This would have been 5 stars in the room, only 3 recorded.
This is the 3-est 3 so far. Some bangers here, solid album, inoffensive crowd pleaser. It’s no Nebraska though, let’s be real.
Day 8: First totally new discovery for me!
Nothing really groundbreaking here, but solid, fun psychedelic offering.
Almost lost a mark for the hideous spoken interlude in the Girl Is Mine. Let’s not bring back this trend.
Still a 5 though, full credit to QJ
One of the songwriting greats- unfortunately I think his work often works better in the hands of others. Beautiful songs, ok album.
Fuck you Morrissey, I’m not listening to this.
Boomers, I understand the hype now. Solid.
Full disclosure: I did not finish. I didn’t have an hour to waste on divorced grandad yacht rock. The first song was fine I guess, but also so uninspiring I found myself wanting to do literally anything else than stick with it.
If I remember to revisit, I will come back with an update.
1 star but it remains to be seen who is really at fault here- Steely Dan or adult ADHD. Stay tuned.