I've always been torn when it comes to the Gallaghers. Burnage brothers Noel and Liam seem to simultaneously impress and disappoint - and, with a the Britpop-inspired musical landscape at saturation point, I can't say I was very excited to give the High Flying Birds' new offering a listen.
The genre has felt stagnant for the good part of a decade. The pair don't seem to be doing anything daring with their music to help push the scene forward. Regardless, I decided to give the forth album by Noel's collective - Council Skies - a chance... see what all the fuss is about.
Would I be swayed by his latest project? Short answer - not entirely.
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Admittedly, I was going in completely blind. I hadn't given any of the build-up singles a listen before today. The last time I payed any attention to Noel's discography was way back in 2015 when he released Chasing Yesterday, his sophomore record that left a lot to be desired, in my opinion.
Before I go into the jarring negatives, first off, the positives. The production is lush.
Noel has heavily leaned into dreamy strings; gospel-inspired harmonies; and jangly keys throughout. It's pleasing on the ears and elevates the majority of the songs.
I was incredibly impressed with the third track, Dead To The World, a melancholic tune about heartbreak that makes you feel like you're floating above the clouds.
Title track Council Skies is another highlight, with a catchy chorus that had me tapping my feet. Easily the best moment on the record is the closing number - We're Gonna Get There In the End.
It's a theatrical and explosive ending that harks back to Noel's Oasis roots - with bags of upbeat energy. It's sure to go off at live shows. In an interview with Apple Music, Noel noted that he didn't want to put the track on the LP at all. Is he insane?!
With the positives out the way, it's time to address the many elephants in the room.
Much of the album feels soulless, repetitive and uninspired. Glittery production aside, I firmly believe that if you stripped the gorgeous strings and bells and whistles from each song, you'd be left with a collection of boring tracks that would never see the light of day with any artist of Noel's calibre and success.
There are too many duds on the record - impressive production can't save it from sounding mundane.
Pretty Boy, which boast The Smiths legend Johnny Marr as a contributor, has to be the most obvious one. It's a lifeless tracks that left me feeling disappointed as Noel tries his hand at creating a fuzzy lo-fi indie tune - and fails spectacularly.
The song ends up feeling empty and repetitive, with little to no replay value. Sadly, much of rest of the tracklist is just as dreary.
I found myself checking how many tracks I had left to sit through at multiple times. Noel fails to do anything new or inspiring as he sings about the same topics he's touched upon before - over the same type of instrumentals.
There's only so many melancholic, dry tunes I can listen to in one sitting before feeling completely exhausted.
So, final thoughts.
Council Skies feels like yet another Brit Pop-style album dragging itself to finish line. There are some high moments thanks to its rich production, but it's nothing I haven't heard before.
In a recent press chat, Noel described his writing method as 'throwing enough s*** at the wall and seeing what sticks'. I can't say much is sticking for me. A collection of humdrum tracks masked by high-quality production.
I don't doubt for a second the album will do well. Noel has carved out an impressive post-Oasis career. But he's pretty much released the same album over and over again.
Saying that... it works.
He's had with three UK number ones and his diehard fanbase is as diehard as ever. So who am I to judge?
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