In the mid-’90s, few bands in the world were as big as Oasis. Their albums Definitely Maybe and (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? both sold like hotcakes and put them at the forefront of the ‘90s Britpop invasion. Many critics and fans still regard their hit song “Wonderwall” as among the greatest songs of that decade. Now, so many years after their ‘90s boom, Oasis have released an album worthy of that decades’ glory — Dig Out Your Soul.
Two things usually come to mind when people think of Oasis. First, they are the guys who wrote “Wonderwall.” Secondly, they are known for the controversy surrounding the band’s founding members, brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher. Their antics both on and off stage have created a steady tabloid buzz around the world ever since they formed in 1991. Throughout the ‘90s and well into the current decade, the band’s live shows were volatile and unpredictable. Fans sometimes wondered if the band would finish the set without one of the Gallagher brothers walking off in disgust. None of this seems to have shaken the faith of their fans, however. While their popularity was considered a “fad” in the United States, Oasis remains one of the most popular bands in the UK.
The new album is a bit of a shift for the infamous Gallagher brothers. One of the main differences between their latest new album and their others is Dig Our Your Soul’s emphasis on drums and groove. Oasis is known for being a guitar-based rock band, as evidenced by their anthemic first two albums. Dig Out Your Soul shifts the emphasis away from guitars, largely thanks to drummer Zak Starkey’s powerful grooves. While still not considered a true member of Oasis, Starkey, who joined the band for their 2005 album Don’t Believe The Truth, makes a big contribution to the band’s newest release. Starkey is the son of Ringo Starr, who was the drummer in an underground, obscure ‘60s band called The Beatles.
Additionally, Dig Out Your Soul has more of a bluesy sound to it than previous Oasis albums. This comes out in songs like “Bag It Up” and “The Nature of Reality.” “The Nature of Reality” is a personal favorite. This is the bluesiest song Oasis has ever done. Their 12/8 stomp groove sounds as swampy as the Everglades. Elsewhere, the band experiments with a handful of new sounds, which work well on the album. “To Be Where There’s Life” has an Eastern influence along with a delicious groove.
Nevertheless, the band never loses sight of their anthemic, Beatles-rock roots. The album’s first single, “The Shock of the Lightning”, hearkens back to old-school Oasis songs like “Rock and Roll Star.” The song is catchy and boasts more swagger and attitude than Kanye West scoring a touchdown. The fifth track on the album, “I’m Outta Time,” boasts a particularly uncanny Beatles/Lennon influence. In fact, it’s pretty clear that they copied the piano directly from The Beatles’ “A Day in the Life.” In the song, Liam Gallagher reflects on the past and looks toward the future of the band, as evidenced by the lyric “Looking back at all the things we’ve done / You gotta keep on keeping on.”
Simply put, this is the best album Oasis has made since (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?. If you’re a fan of rock ‘n’ roll and need some great new drinking music, you simply must buy this album. Rock on, Oasis.
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