The obvious thing about Beady Eye’s new working partner is that he has not been afraid to tip the sound of the band on its head. Flick of the Finger is the obvious album highlight as Sitek’s motto must have been “No Beatles Allowed”. It has the swagger that would expect from a Liam Gallagher vocal but the atmospheric production and the liberal dose of horns throughout make it clear, this is not Oasis.
Follow up track Soul Love only proves the point further. Built around drummers Chris Sharrock languid beat, it resists the temptation to bring in the histrionics that you would expect from a bunch of rock dogs instead the final 2 minutes are a sonic soundscape you would more likely find on a Brian Eno album that only enhances the meditative mood of the song.
This makes track three, Face the Crowd even more effective as the band revert to their usual rock form and even though the songs is nothing new for them, and the James Bond-like strings are almost a copy of string they used on Millionaire from their debut album. It makes an effect opening three-song combo for the band.
The biggest surprise of this set is the fact there really isn’t anything you would consider bad. Sitek for all his efforts cannot completely beat the English rock roosts of this band and nor should he. The band strength is the fact they know how to play a good rock song. Why completely abandon that. Missteps are more the course as songs like Iz Rite with it’s aping of John Lennon and Soon Come Tomorrow which is unremarkable in its plainness.
There is still a lot to like about the rest of the album. The jaunty beat of I’m Just Saying, the reimagining of the Bo Diddley beat in Shine a Light, the trashy glam styling of Second Bite of the Apple are all enjoyable listens. The one thing you take away from all of these is that they could have been made all the better with some judicious editing. It’s all good and fine to let the band stretch their legs when presenting songs but a producers job is to make sure each songs is as good as it can be. No more is this evident than on Don’t Brother Me.
You don’t have to be a genius to know what this is about and who it’s directed at. Liam is not shy (as if he’s ever been) and he’s in full barbed glory when he’s singing "Don't bother me when you're done / Sick of all your lying, skimming and you crying / They say that I'm free but I'm one / I'm always in the sun, did you number one?"
However, he morphs into a conciliatory tone with "In the morning, I’ll be calling / Hoping you’ll understand / All or nothing, I’ll keep pushing / C’mon now give peace a chance / Take my hand, be a man".
Problem is what you have above is almost the entire lyrics for the song and it clocks in at over 7 minutes long. You could gut 4 ½ minutes out of this thing and gave us a properly great track instead you have something that meanders and is repetitive to the point of distraction. The same can be said for the two last tracks which are just there and unremarkable at best. You could have easily have left both these off and subbed in two tracks from the deluxe edition release of this album.
Most notably I would have included The World is Not Set in Stone with it apocalyptic feel and Girls in Uniform which is a dream marriage of Paul McCartney whimsy, Ray Davies narrative and a nice helping of fun. BE would have been stronger for it.
(should be added: the amazing Off At The Next Exit)
I like this album and it’s definitely step away from what you would expect Beady Eye to sound like. Dave Sitek expanded the bands sound and let them have their way with the songs. While this has resulted in some sterling songs and moments, this set could have used a fresh set of ears and power of veto or at least edit down some of the more experimental moments. When Beady Eye get it right, you will be rewarded just be prepared a wade through some flat spots to get to the good stuff. Recommended.
Final Score: 7.5 [ between Good and Very Good ]
Final Score: 7.5 [ between Good and Very Good ]
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