"As album playbacks go, Beady Eye’s unveiling of their new effort was as colourful as Liam Gallagher’s leopard-print loafers.
The band — Liam, Gem Archer, Andy Bell and Chris Sharrock — chose to premiere B.E. — out on June 10 — in a cinema beneath the posh Soho Hotel.
It’s the first time I’ve listened to an album eating popcorn, drinking beer, with a Britpop wildman dancing along to his own tunes behind me. It sounds bananas, but it worked a treat.
It was a bit surreal with Liam chipping in with one-line reviews, shouting out his critique of each track. It was even more surreal seeing his silhouette on the screen as his swaggering dance partially blocked the projector, giving everyone a close-up of his sideburns and sunglasses.
So here are my thoughts on the tracks, with Liam’s thoughts written after.
Liam had the last word in a short speech about the album artwork.
LG: “Top nipple. Thanks for turning up and having a listen, man.”
The band — Liam, Gem Archer, Andy Bell and Chris Sharrock — chose to premiere B.E. — out on June 10 — in a cinema beneath the posh Soho Hotel.
It’s the first time I’ve listened to an album eating popcorn, drinking beer, with a Britpop wildman dancing along to his own tunes behind me. It sounds bananas, but it worked a treat.
It was a bit surreal with Liam chipping in with one-line reviews, shouting out his critique of each track. It was even more surreal seeing his silhouette on the screen as his swaggering dance partially blocked the projector, giving everyone a close-up of his sideburns and sunglasses.
So here are my thoughts on the tracks, with Liam’s thoughts written after.
FLICK OF THE FINGER: A big, classic rock ’n’ roll groove of a track... the brass section is something you wouldn’t expect, but works well. Producer Dave Sitek has lifted the standard on the second album and this is a statement of an opener.
LG: “Fookin’ tune, man.”
SOUL LOVE: Liam’s vocals are stripped back — reverb cutbacks and the pipes are in good working order. A crackly production which gives it the sound of vinyl. It got a round of applause from the room.
LG: “You’re welcome!”
FACE THE CROWD: Raises the tempo with an impressive Gem/Andy groove. Proper clapalong chorus. A nod to The Beatles. Austin Powers would love this track.
LG: “Have that! Tune!”
SECOND BITE OF THE APPLE: Latest single, verses delivered like Oasis’s early single Shakermaker. It builds up nicely.
LG: “Fuckin’ tune!”
SOON COME TOMORROW: Beautiful melody, Sunday afternoon vibe.
LG absent: He went to the bog during this one.
IZ RITE: Gem tune. Solid rock ’n’ roll with great guitars.
LG: “Come on! What a tune.”
I’M JUST SAYING: A bit of early Oasis flavour. Upbeat summer banger of a track...
LG: “Have a go on that!”
DON’T BROTHER ME: The song everyone was waiting for, about Noel Gallagher [it's about The Sun, too...]. The lyrics tell the story: “I know I’m a man, I’ll do what I can/Sick of your scheming and lying/ I’m always in THE SUN with your number one/ You know I’m a man, I’ll do what I can/ Give peace a chance, take my hand/Be a man. All or nothing/ I’ll keep pushing. In the morning, I’ll keep calling/And hope you understand.” The outro is a psychedelic massage of the senses.
LG: “Have it! Tune!”
SHINE A LIGHT: Great drums and rhythm section. Flavour of Rolling Stones and Kinks.
LG absent: In bog again.
LG: “Fookin’ tune, man.”
SOUL LOVE: Liam’s vocals are stripped back — reverb cutbacks and the pipes are in good working order. A crackly production which gives it the sound of vinyl. It got a round of applause from the room.
LG: “You’re welcome!”
FACE THE CROWD: Raises the tempo with an impressive Gem/Andy groove. Proper clapalong chorus. A nod to The Beatles. Austin Powers would love this track.
LG: “Have that! Tune!”
SECOND BITE OF THE APPLE: Latest single, verses delivered like Oasis’s early single Shakermaker. It builds up nicely.
LG: “Fuckin’ tune!”
SOON COME TOMORROW: Beautiful melody, Sunday afternoon vibe.
LG absent: He went to the bog during this one.
IZ RITE: Gem tune. Solid rock ’n’ roll with great guitars.
LG: “Come on! What a tune.”
I’M JUST SAYING: A bit of early Oasis flavour. Upbeat summer banger of a track...
LG: “Have a go on that!”
DON’T BROTHER ME: The song everyone was waiting for, about Noel Gallagher [it's about The Sun, too...]. The lyrics tell the story: “I know I’m a man, I’ll do what I can/Sick of your scheming and lying/ I’m always in THE SUN with your number one/ You know I’m a man, I’ll do what I can/ Give peace a chance, take my hand/Be a man. All or nothing/ I’ll keep pushing. In the morning, I’ll keep calling/And hope you understand.” The outro is a psychedelic massage of the senses.
LG: “Have it! Tune!”
SHINE A LIGHT: Great drums and rhythm section. Flavour of Rolling Stones and Kinks.
LG absent: In bog again.
[wow they're really funny...]
BALLROOM FIGURED: More down-tempo, acoustic ballad. Impressive and delicate, a gentle touch.
LG: “Fucking tune!”
START ANEW: Vulnerability about it. “Got the whole world in our hands/ Come on take a chance and start anew.”
BALLROOM FIGURED: More down-tempo, acoustic ballad. Impressive and delicate, a gentle touch.
LG: “Fucking tune!”
START ANEW: Vulnerability about it. “Got the whole world in our hands/ Come on take a chance and start anew.”
Liam had the last word in a short speech about the album artwork.
LG: “Top nipple. Thanks for turning up and having a listen, man.”
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