Heathen Chemistry is the fifth studio album by English rock band Oasis, first released on July 1st 2002. It sold over 1 million copies in the UK, ending up in the top ten best selling albums of 2002, and about 4 million worldwide as of 2005.
Heathen Chemistry was received more warmly than the previous Oasis album, Standing on the Shoulder of Giants, by both fans and critics alike. It spawned four singles, each of which made the top three in the UK charts: "The Hindu Times", their sixth number one single in the UK, "Stop Crying Your Heart Out", a song made famous as it was played on the BBC when the English football team were knocked out of the World Cup, the Double A-Side, sung by Noel — "Little By Little/She Is Love" — and "Songbird", the first single written by Liam.
This album was the last one to feature the band's longtime drummer, Alan White, who left in early 2004, with Noel Gallagher claiming White's commitment to the band wasn't up to scratch. He was effectively replaced with Ringo Starr's son, Zak Starkey.
Album History
The title of the album, according to Noel, came from a t-shirt he bought in Ibiza which featured a logo reading, "The Society of Heathen Chemists". Similarly, the name of the first single, "The Hindu Times", originated from a logo on a t-shirt that read the same thing, which Noel saw during a photo shoot for GQ's 100 Greatest Guitarists edition. The name was given to the track when it was just an instrumental, as all the instrumentals of this album were given actual titles as opposed to "Instrumental 1", etc., and the name stuck once the track was finished.
The album was recorded during 2001–early 2002, and was the first studio album written and recorded with the two new members, bassist Andy Bell and rhythm guitarist Gem Archer. Bell and Archer wrote one track each, and Liam Gallagher contributed three, thus the album signalled the end of Noel Gallagher songs dominating Oasis albums (though Liam had contributed "Little James" to Standing on the Shoulder of Giants).
The release of the album was overshadowed by an internet leak of all 11 tracks almost three months prior to release. However, listeners of the commercially released album heard slight differences to two tracks, "Little By Little" and "Better Man".
Music Videos
Track listing
01: "The Hindu Times"
02: "Force Of Nature"
03: "Hung In A Bad Place"
04: "Stop Crying Your Heart Out"
05: "Songbird"
06: "Little By Little"
07: "A Quick Peep"
08: "(Probably) All In the Mind"
09: "She Is Love"
10: "Born On A Different Cloud"
11: "Better Man"
Release Date: 1 July 2002
Highest Chart Position: No 1 in the UK
Written By: Tracks 1,2,4,6,8,9 by Noel Gallagher. Tracks 5,10,11 written by Liam Gallagher. Track 3 written by Gem Archer. Track 7 written by Andy Bell Creations Songs Ltd/ Warner Chappell Music Ltd.
Produced By: Oasis
Recorded At: Wheeler End and Olympic Studios, England.
Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja aka 3D drops two remixes of ‘The Right Stuff’ on his Battle Box label in conjunction with The Vinyl Factory.
Originally released on Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds’ album Chasing Yesterday earlier this year, ‘The Right Stuff’ has been pulled apart and reassembled by Massive Attack’s 3D and Euan Dickinson for two dark reworks of cinematic intensity.
In 3D’s words, “it was a good opportunity to take a great song, slow it right down, remove the guitars and then scratch the clarinet backwards.”
Speaking of the collaboration, Gallagher also hinted that it’s been a long time coming: “I remember being at The Brits in ’95 and D offering to do a Massive Attack re-mix of ‘Cast No Shadow’. The idea was never followed through and it’s something I’ve regretted ever since. It’s nice to finally scratch the itch somewhat.”
Battle Box 004: High Flying Birds In 3D is pressed to 12″ vinyl with artwork by Paul Insect and is limited to 500 copies. Pre-order your copy direct from The Vinyl Factory online shop here ahead of its release on 31st July.
Stream the version one of High Flying Birds in 3D here.
Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja aka 3D drops two remixes of ‘The Right Stuff’ on his Battle Box label in conjunction with The Vinyl Factory.
Originally released on Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds’ album Chasing Yesterday earlier this year, ‘The Right Stuff’ has been pulled apart and reassembled by Massive Attack’s 3D and Euan Dickinson for two dark reworks of cinematic intensity.
In 3D’s words, “it was a good opportunity to take a great song, slow it right down, remove the guitars and then scratch the clarinet backwards.”
Speaking of the collaboration, Gallagher also hinted that it’s been a long time coming: “I remember being at The Brits in ’95 and D offering to do a Massive Attack re-mix of ‘Cast No Shadow’. The idea was never followed through and it’s something I’ve regretted ever since. It’s nice to finally scratch the itch somewhat.”
Battle Box 004: High Flying Birds In 3D is pressed to 12″ vinyl with artwork by Paul Insect and is limited to 500 copies. Pre-order your copy direct from The Vinyl Factory online shop here ahead of its release on 31st July.
Stream the version one of High Flying Birds in 3D here.
Below is the setlist from Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds at Rock Werchter in Werchterpark, Belguim.
Lock All The Doors
In The Heat of the Moment
Riverman
You Know We Can't Go Back
Whatever
Dream On
The Mexican
If I Had A Gun
Digsy's Dinner
The Masterplan
AKA... What A Life!
Don't Look Back In Anger
Check out the current collection and offers from Pretty Green here
Below is the setlist from Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds at the OpenAir St.Gallen in St Gallen, Switzerland.
Everybody's On The Run
Lock All The Doors
In The Heat of the Moment
Fade Away
Riverman
You Know We Can't Go Back
Champagne Supernova
Dream On
Whatever
The Mexican
If I Had A Gun
Digsy's Dinner
The Masterplan
AKA... What A Life!
Don't Look Back In Anger
Check out the current collection and offers from Pretty Green here
If you count the founding of the colonies, the War of 1812, Mick Jagger, and the July/August edition of American Songwriter, this marks the fourth time we’ve been invaded by the British.
What’s all this then? It’s the British issue! What’s so British about it? Well, luv, the British issue comes in a cosy arboureal colour. It’s our favourite. Savour it. We’re bloody well enamoured.
The issue includes pieces on Ringo Starr, Paul Weller, The Rolling Stones’s Sticky Fingers, The Sex Pistols, and the answer to that age old question “Just what exactly is a ‘Wonderwall’ anyway?”
You can purchase the iPad version in iTunes, or get the Android-compatible version through Google play.
Noel Gallagher has spoken ahead of his Calling Festival appearance next week.
The former Oasis man will headline the London event on July 4, with the likes of Ryan Adams And The Shining, Wolf Alice, Modest Mouse, Echo & The Bunnymen and others also performing.
Speaking to NME in this week's issue, available digitally and on newsstands now, Gallagher was asked about his plans for what will be High Flying Birds' biggest show to date.
Gallagher replied: "I haven't actually given it much thought. Not sure I see the point in overthinking these things. Just get up there and give it 75%! One always has to save some for the after show you see!"
Quizzed on whether he will play any unusual Oasis songs, Gallagher responded in jest: "Fucking hell, d'you want me to tell you what colour of brown or navy blue bomber jacket I'll be wearing and all?"
In the same interview, Gallagher confirmed that his next record is underway. "I’m already a bit of the way into my next record," he said. "As for what it will eventually say on the cover though remains to be seen."
The new record will be Noel Gallagher’s third album as Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds. It follows 'Chasing Yesterday' which was released in February this year and his self-titled 2011 debut.