As selective a flock of musical magpies as ever, Oasis only beg, steal and borrow from the very best. Not that the band were ever considered original, but Noel Gallagher's ear for a memorable pop melody and impeccable historical musical references po
int more than compensate. And with this seventh album there is clearly a desire to be different, shifting the emphasis to bass-heavy rhythms and electric piano fills, but the general sensation is very much business as usual.
Noel's singing gets better and better, showing more depth and range than ever before on 'Waiting For The Rapture', which also manages to marry the intro of the Doors' 'Five To One' with some Lennon guitar savagery.
The Beatles loom as large as ever, be it on Liam's ballad 'I'm Outta Time', the sitar-soaked 'To Be Where There's Life' by Gem Archer or Andy Bell's 'Nature Of Reality'.
At least the Fab Four only had to let Ringo have one song per album, but Noel now has to concede five. All pass muster, save for his brother's sluggish closer, 'Soldier On'.
Noel blots his own copybook with the strange stomp 'High Horse Lady', which echoes the rock and roll classic 'High Heeled Sneakers' in the most bizarre fashion, but otherwise is at the top of his game.
Creative democracy is laudable, but so is making the best possible album within his considerable capabilities.
Download this: Bag It Up, Waiting For The Rapture
The full article contains 255 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
