Tag: Liam Gallagher

Liam Gallagher and ANC4

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Liam Gallagher

Liam Gallagher “Why Me? Why Not.”

Former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher picks up where his 2017 solo album As You Were left off, and he has learned a few things in the process. Liam can still mine that Oasis nostalgia (and his Beatlesque tendencies) on the opening single “Shockwave,” with its deep bass strut and catchy chorus. But there is a sense of maturity here, while no single is as strong as 2017’s “Greedy Soul,” the point of view is more varied. And the songs are consistently good.

“One of Us” recalls previous Oasis lyrics “…you said we’d live forever” and “Once” is a very Lennon-like mid-tempo ballad about self-reflection. The power-pop gem “Now That I’ve Found You” is likely the happiest song Gallagher has ever written. “Halo” and the title track are perfect singles that will stick in your brain. The atmospheric “Meadow” is a psychedelic “Mystery Tour” styled gem with George Harrison-like slide guitar flourishes. While not everything works, most of it does. The bombastic elements of his music tend to get repetitive, but even the bonus tracks on the deluxe edition are quality songs. Highly Recommended.

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ANC4

ANC4 “ANC4”

ANC4 (aka Arvidson &Nilsson Combo Four) is a newly formed band that consists of four veterans of the Swedish music scene. The full line is Roger Arvidson (vocals/guitar), Tomas Nilsson (vocals/guitar – of The Mop Tops), Janne Borgh (bass/backing vocals – The Moderns), and Niclas “Tidaholm’s Ringo” Österberg (drums). The band seems to take most of its influence from The Byrds, Tom Petty, and The Beatles.

The opener “Easy Way Out” is a nice jangling gem with a memorable guitar hook in the chorus. Roger’s understated vocals work wonderfully here, and the alt. country “You Can Call Me Darling” has some sweet details like a tinkling xylophone and slide guitar. The band goes out of its way to try different styles early on, from the spacey “The Chronicle” to the new wave jangle on “No More Words.” Highlights include; “So Good To Me” and “Happy Again.” The band finds its sweet spot with the excellent “It Don’t Matter.” Musically this is all fun, but on occasion, the vocals just disappear (“When We Were There,” “Winner”) in the mix. Overall, a terrific album that deserves to be heard.

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Liam Gallagher and The Brixton Riot

powerpopaholic
Liam Gallagher

Liam Gallagher “As You Were”

Those in need of an Oasis fix certainly need look no further. Where Noel got high flying, Liam has stayed grounded and put the mantle of Oasis on his shoulders with all the John Lennon influences intact, albeit less retro than his previous work on Beady Eye. This is in fact the best post-Oasis work of either Gallagher. Ad: Great discounts and offers are now available from CouponsMonk.

“Wall of Glass” delivers the upbeat echo and solid beat, Liam’s vocal stands out on each song here. One of the early gems “Greedy Soul” is very catchy and is a great tune to work out to. Other highlights include “Paper Clown”, “For What It’s Worth”, “Universal Gleam,” “Chinatown” and “I’ve All I Need.” Overall there are no filler tunes, with a good balance of rockers and ballads and most every track had my full attention. As Liam states “sometimes we lose our way,” so I’m glad he’s back and free from Noel’s shadow. With so few “mainstream” power pop artists left in the public eye, it is nice to have that brief spotlight. Highly Recommended.

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The Brixton Riot

The Brixton Riot “Close Counts”

Veteran New Jersey power-pop band The Brixton Riot deliver “Close Counts,” their sophomore LP release, a bit older, wiser and definitely louder. The band’s influences are a diverse group from The Jam, The Replacements, Elvis Costello and Nirvana. The openers “Can’t Stop Now” and “Slow Evolution” boast driving percussion and steady guitar melodies. The more subtle “Hector Quasar” is a bit like The Lemonheads, and the fuzzy jangle of “The Ballad of Pete Best” is a fun tribute to the ex-Beatle drummer “who should’ve learned to play the guitar.”

The faster, grungier guitars of “Maybe Tomorrow” are contrasted by the optimistic vocals as there is no drop off in the quality of musicianship on the album’s second half.  “Little Spark” about the love of music on vinyl and boomboxes, and “Talk About Nothing” are resonant rockers about being “so bored.” But you will not be bored because this is damn good power pop. Overall, the lack of consistent hooks brings this album down a notch, but as the title states, close counts and this music definitely deserves to be heard.

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