Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, 'Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds'

Release date: Nov. 8, 2011
Record label: Sour Mash/Mercury
Official website: http://www.noelgallagher.com/

The buzz: Normally there’s one direction that someone can go after leaving a massively successful band to go solo: down. But most objective observers didn’t think much of Oasis’ later period, and the dueling brother shtick between Noel and Liam Gallagher wore out its welcome in the ‘90s—although they continue to successfully fish for headlines by sparring through the press. Thanks to Liam’s less-than-perfect attendance record, Noel had some opportunities to sharpen his frontman skills with Oasis before embarking on this solo effort.

The verdict: Gallagher sounds charged up to be out on his own; he’s put together a 10-track collection that, while certainly predictable, is well stocked with energetic, orchestral rock anthems. He again mines his famous influences (Beatles, Kinks), adding a dash of “early Oasis” to the mix, saluting his own back catalog. His songs will seldom sink or swim based on his vocals; he’s perfectly competent, if not particularly forceful. Highlights include the grandiose opener “Everybody’s on the Run” and the propulsive indie-rock-ish “AKA…What a Life!” The softer, more psychedelic side offers less to grab hold to; the bloated “(I Wanna Live in a Dream in My) Record Machine” stands as one of the worst songs he’s released. Since everything with the Gallagher boys is a competition: Yes, Noel, this is considerably better than Liam’s post-Oasis album with Beady Eye.
 
Did you know? Gallagher’s next album could be more of a departure; he’s collaborated with the veteran electronic duo Amorphous Androgynous (aka Future Sound of London).