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A couple of weeks back, Liam Gallagher used social media to promote his joint album with John Squire. He described it as “spiritual” and “crucial” and also gave his thoughts on who he believes will appreciate it. He believes that fans of the Stone Roses and Oasis will greatly enjoy it.
Feel free to dismiss that statement as hyperbolic, but there is a highly effective marketing strategy at the core of it. Despite any skepticism, there remains a significant group of individuals who hold musicians Liam Gallagher and John Squire in such high regard that any collaboration between them is automatically seen as a highly anticipated event. This devoted fan base ensures that the project, even if it were simply a recording of the two artists engaging in silly antics, would still likely be well-received.
Gallagher and Squire seem to be well aware of this fact, making their album almost immune to criticism. Before even listening to the music, it’s clear that any artist who is concerned about what critics will say would not include songs with titles like “Make It Up As You Go Along” or “I’m So Bored” (which even has the line “I’m so bored of this song”). This would be an easy target for a negative review. And it’s especially noteworthy that they would place “I’m So Bored” right next to a song called “You’re Not the Only One” in the tracklist.
Additionally, if Liam Gallagher, who has faced constant criticism throughout his career for supposedly copying the Beatles, was worried about giving his detractors more fuel, he would not end his album with a song titled “Mother Nature’s Song,” which happens to be a slightly altered version of a Beatles song.
The music does not seem to be affected by the opinions of those who are not already fans, relying mainly on the interplay between the sounds of Gallagher and Squire’s previous bands. I’m So Bored has elements of the defiant, fast-paced style of Oasis’ Morning Glory, while One Day at a Time could easily fit into Definitely Maybe or the B-sides from that era. On the other hand, Mars to Liverpool and Make It Up As You Go Along have more charming melodies that Oasis would not have typically explored, similar to what the Stone Roses did with Mersey Paradise or Going Down. Love You Forever draws inspiration from the heavy guitar riffs and powerful drums of their 1994 comeback single Love Spreads, and You’re Not the Only One could fit in with Second Coming as well.
As you may anticipate, everything on Liam Gallagher John Squire’s 45-minute album is fairly predictable. With the exception of “I’m a Wheel,” which veers away from the Led Zeppelin-inspired blues rock of Second Coming into more traditional late-60s blues revival territory, nothing on this album comes as a surprise. “I’m a Wheel” features a lumbering riff reminiscent of “I’m a Man” and a glam-influenced chorus. However, there is one thing that one might expect to hear that doesn’t make an appearance. There are no traces of the hypnotic, breakbeat-driven, wah pedal-heavy sound of “Fool’s Gold,” which is a bit disappointing since it would have been interesting to hear Liam Gallagher sing over a dance beat, something he did surprisingly well on the Prodigy’s “Shoot Down.”
However, it is noteworthy that this album surpasses anything Gallagher has released after Oasis, as well as Squire’s music since his departure from the Stone Roses in 1996. The songwriting is more melodically strong and the performances are more lively, showcasing a clear sense of inspiration between the two artists. While it may not have a standout track like Slide Away or She Bangs the Drums from their previous bands, the opening track Raise Your Hands comes close with Squire’s skillful playing, a catchy chorus, and a piano bridge reminiscent of The Rolling Stones’ Let’s Spend the Night Together.
One could interpret its predictability as a lack of creativity, but it could also be seen as the result of a thorough understanding of the target market. This group of individuals is not seeking surprises when they spend their money, even the younger ones who may not have experienced the 90s firsthand. You may question their willingness to buy into nostalgia for their parents’ experiences during the “mad fer it” years, but if you enjoy broad-brushstroke alternative rock, the options for 2024 are limited. It’s understandable to look back at a time when this type of music seemed to dominate, and Liam Gallagher and John Squire offer a more authentic representation than the few mediocre bands that have emerged since the decline of Britpop 2.0 in the 00s. The target audience is unlikely to feel disappointed.
Source: theguardian.com
