"Gallaghers in nearly great album shocker!"

"Complainging that Oasis ape the Beatles-among others- is like complaining that Oasis are a great British rock band. Get over it, appreciate the impudence, submit to the pleasures of their neo-retro-classicism, or just #### off, mate.(Ringo's son is their drummer, for Lennon's sake!)

Despite the myriad steals on their first album in three years, however, the band Oasis most resemble is Oasis. Only they haven't sounded this loose and confident since 1995's WTSMG; leanness and vitailty have replaced the cokey bloat of their last few studio trips. Liam may be rock's signature snarler, but he's also quitely become an ace melodist (contributing three songs here) and bro Noels singing (on four tracks) has never been stronger or lovelier.
Some of their recent lifts? On "Mucky Fingers", Noel replicates Lou Reed's velvty guitar strokes as Phil Spector and Bob Dylan brandish pistols in their sound booth. And though that title may recall the Stones, its the next song "lyla" (note the missing a, Mr. Clapton) that blatantly bites "Street Fighting Man" Liam's brisk "The Meaning of Soul" boasts a "proud Mary" strum and a honking harmonica solo, while Noel's gorgeously sad "Part of the Queue" is the Stranglers' "Golden Brown" with piano and funky percussion subbing for harpiscord.
That Dave Sardy, who produced Jet's larcenous debut, also worked on this album makes perfect sense. Reining in the brothers' excesses (soundwise, at least), he's helped them to focus; the songs no longer meander what they shouldn't, nor seem overstuffed, even if the ambitious ode to loafing "The Importance of Being Idle," manages to cram surf guitar and barrel-housekeys into a vampy tango.
The first and last songs shout out to the sun, but then Oasis have never expected praise for their words. Occasionally on DBTT, they (usually Noel) will surpriise with a nugget like "Every beginning has broken its promise."
But more often the lyrics beseech you to love one another, stand tall and proud, keep the dream alive, and kick a hole in the sky. The world may be coming undone at the seems, Liam may be at the crossroads waiting for a sign, but let there be love, and everything's gonna be all right in that champagne supernova in the big, wide-open festival site. Sound like a plan."

- Doug Brod, June 2005, Spin

Grade: A-

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Autor: Doug Brod

Quelle: Spin, Juni 2005