Our Review: Liam Gallagher John Squire
I’ve listened to probably thousands of hours of Liam Gallagher and John Squire’s music, and would have thought I could have guessed with pinpoint precision what an album they’d make together would sound like. What I’ve listened to today is something completely different, and so much more than I could have hoped.
After hearing ‘Just Another Rainbow’, you thought you could start to piece together what this project was going to be. Liam was Liam; another incredible vocal, kind of in-the-sky, kind of pointed and angry like always, but with this new layer that felt connected with the Roses, with Hendrix, and all the influences that make John Squire a one-in-a-million guitarist and songwriter. More so with ‘Mars to Liverpool’, the picture was becoming clearer, with a hit single that could have been a Radio One A-lister for The Seahorses, or equally a number one for Liam’s solo career. Beyond that though, there’s something more. You’re hearing on this new album, a depth and quality of songwriting, and connection with the music, that hasn’t been heard from Liam since Oasis.
John Squire appears born to write for Liam, there’s something in his lyrics (which I happen to love, colours and rainbows and all…), alongside that hard vs soft layer that always made Liam so unique. The stone vs roses, and Stones vs Beatles to it all. There are some hard things on this album; ‘You’re Not The Only One’ sounds like the heaviest thing the Stones or Black Crows would have done, and has shades of ‘Bring The Light’. ‘I’m A Wheel’, which features what will likely be the last time you’ll hear guitar playing of this quality on a mainstream record, is like heavy-tar blues. Liam’s voice is shredded, like 95/96 era Liam vocals. It will sound enormous live!
The softer, more melodic, and colourful side of the album is where it hits its peak though. Everyone has read a lot about ‘Mother Nature’s Song’, but honestly, this is the standout tune on the whole album. I’d put it with anything Squire or Liam have ever released after just a few listens. There’s something so personal to them both in this, with ridiculously beautiful guitar lines throughout, but there’s definitely a soulfulness to Liam’s voice that makes it feel like he wrote it. That was always what made Oasis, the fact that Liam could sing these songs Noel had written, but make them feel like they were his own. As much as I have liked a lot of his solo output, there’s always been that element missing for me. There seemed to be missing that connection between him and the songs, which for the first time since 2008 is evident on every single song on this album, but none more so than the album closer.
I had huge expectations for this album, my favourite guitarist, my favourite singer, but honestly, after devouring the two singles for a couple of months now, and having listened to this album back-to-back three times in a row, I feel they’ve delivered something truly special. The live gigs, perfectly pitched at the right venues are going to be all-timers. For all the amazing gigs, and songs on his solo run, it would be great to think that Liam leaves that parked for the time being to see where this new road with John Squire can go. I think a second album could be even better as they find their rhythm live.
This is a really special album, and we should feel lucky to still have music like this to get excited about.
Blast From The Past: Noel Gallagher
On February 28th 2012 Noel Gallagher played a stunning acoustic set at Glasgow's 'Grand Ole Opry' in Glasgow, Scotland.
The setlist included songs from his debut album and a number of Oasis classics.
Blast From The Past: Beady Eye
On February 28th 2011 Beady Eye released their debut album 'Different Gear, Still Speeding'.
The album entered the UK Album Chart at number three, and to date has spent nineteen weeks on the chart.
Listen to the full session below.
On This Day In Oasis History...
On February 28th 2000 Oasis released the 'Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants' album.
The album topped the charts in the UK, Ireland and in Italy.
More Reviews: Liam Gallagher John Squire
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RETROPOP
Liam Gallagher and John Squire prove themselves to be the ultimate supergroup as they unleash their self-titled debut album.
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MOJO
On their first collaborative album, Manchester heroes Liam Gallagher and John Squire prove to be the perfect musical foil.
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On This Day In Oasis History...
On February 26th 2001 Noel Gallagher presented the BRIT Award for 'Outstanding Contribution To Music' at The BRIT Awards to U2.
Blast From The Past: Noel Gallagher
On February 26th 2012 Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds played at the O2 Arena in London.
The gig was broadcast in various cinemas and released in October 2012.
Quotes From Liam Gallagher And John Squire's Interview With The SundayTimes
Some quotes from an interview with Liam Gallagher and John Squire in the Sunday Times.
Liam Gallagher on the album track 'Mother Nature’s Song'.
“When you’re younger you don’t give a f*** about nature, do you? Go for a walk? F*** off mate. I’ll walk to the pub, stagger home, and that is it. But you get older and think: how lucky we are to be in this wonderful world. I’ve got a dog and now I’m always in the woods, wandering about like little… what are they called?”
Interviewer: Hobbits?
Liam: “No, not f***ing hobbits. Little Red Riding Hood, But I don’t listen to Mother Nature’s Song and go, ‘Oh my God, I’ve got to hug a tree.’ ”
Liam Gallagher on how he viewed the average music fan when he was 15.
“I always thought the guy walking around the streets with a guitar was a bit of a f***ing creep, to be honest, We’d be out playing football and there was always one geezer in a leather jacket, some mad hairdo and skintight jeans, and I’d be going, ‘Who the f*** is that weirdo?’ Then I saw the Roses and it all changed.”
Liam on watching the Stones Roses in Manchester.
“Had a couple of beers, had a couple of spliffs, went down the front and thought, you know what? They’re up there playing music and they’re dressed like us: jeans, trainers, little jackets. You don’t have to look like the guy from the Cure. It was my epiphany. The following morning I didn’t remember a f***ing thing about the gig, but I thought: that’s what I want to do with my life.”
John Squire on not recording new material with the Stone Roses.
“We did two new songs in 2016, but the spark wasn’t there,”
John on the Stone Roses reunion.
“People change, relationships change. Being in a band is like a marriage and a lot of marriages fail. When it works it is because you are in the right place at the right time, with the right people at the right stage in their lives. It can’t remain that way for ever.”
On Noel Noel Gallagher last year that he would be prepared to consider a reunion if Liam called him,
“He knows I’m not going to call him, He’s the one who split the band up, so he’ll be doing the calling, and if there is no calling we won’t be getting back together. To be fair, though, I can see it happening. Now things have changed in his personal life I can see him looking back, not looking back in anger, and going, ‘Do you know what? I was really mean to my little brother. Now it is time for me to send him a box of chocolates.’ ”
Interviewer: Are you saying, I ask, that if Noel should turn up with a box of Milk Tray, the greatest band of the Nineties will be back among us?
Liam: “Oh, without a doubt. I love my brother, I love my family, and all that Oasis shit, there was no need for it, you know what I mean? Maybe someone can get a bit tetchy on tour. Maybe someone drinks a bit too much. But we didn’t have to split up over it. I don’t hold grudges, man, and if Oasis got back together it would be great because I would only have to sing 15 songs and he could do the rest. I could do that standing on me head.”
“That was my band and that was all I knew. I lived and breathed it, so once it was gone I was like, who the f*** am I, really? Everyone knows me as that guy from Oasis. If that’s not there any more I’m just a hollow f***ing wandering dude from the Nineties. But you move on. Life is just one big conveyor belt, innit?”
Liam on playing around the corner from his house on tour.
“We’re playing the Forum, round the corner from my house, so when John starts off on [a solo] I’ll be nipping off to have a shave, a bath, a change of clothes, a little drink, and I’ll come back and he’ll still be there, making love to his guitar.”
Blast From The Past: Noel Gallagher
On February 24th 2012 Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds played at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow, Scotland.
Watch a number of videos from the set below.
On February 24th 2018 Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds played at the Chicago Theatre in Chicago, USA.
Watch a number of videos from the set below.
On This Day In Oasis History...
On February 24th 1996 Oasis played at the American Theater in St Louis, USA.Watch the gig in full below.
Watch a number of videos from the set below.
