IT was just last week we reported Liam Gallagher is right up for a reunion with Oasis– but its back to an Oasis-free reality this week with Beady Eye’s release of second album Be.
The fifteen-heavy record opens with Flick of the Finger which is best played live and loud. This is the track standing out in live performances thanks to major production on the song. Featuring not one, but two drummers; Gallagher’s performance of this track on Later…. with Jools Holland brought the song to life. So powerful infact, Gallagher let the music do all the talking during the instrumental as he stood back from centre stage seemingly, to take it all in. An old-school broadcasting voice speaks of the revolution, a la Public Service Broadcasting half way through. The brass on this track is a great creative decision for Beady Eye making Flick of the Finger a great ballsy opener with Oasis-esque repetitive lyrics.
Soul Love sees Gallagher sing a love song in a higher-octave. A little droney at times, the tracks message is sweet and shows Beady Eye as the mature musicians they are. I suspect the tone created by Gallagher’s voice may be a little difficult for him to achieve during live performances. The big production heard in the opening track is left out of this one- putting the vocals of Soul Love at the forefront of your attention. It’s an altogether dark, softer track with sing-along qualities- although the extended instrumental at the end of the track is dragged out a little.
It’s back to upbeat rock ‘n’ roll for Face the Crowd which has similarities to The Roller from the debut album Different Gear Still Speeding which was such a hit. The fast-pace guitar drives this track into a toe-tapping tune that boasts noise and a catchy drum beat. The song is stripped back half way through to feature vocals, bass and hand-claps for a mere ten seconds or so, when the beat is reintroduced its clear this is an absolute cracker of a tune.
Second Bite of the Apple has the most interesting introduction. It’s up-beat, playful and a great display of what Beady Eye can do. The production is first class, and as the lyrics kick in its no wonder why this has been chosen as the first single. The brass is again a standout on this track; a real game changer. Gallagher’s vocals are spot-on- just the right amount of rough applied to each and every word. After all, it’s the Manchester in Liam that makes it.
Beady Eye slow things down again for the stripped-back Soon Comes Tomorrow. The acoustic guitar is enjoyable throughout this one, with Gallagher’s vocals going back down low after the first verse. A nice instrumental from the electric guitar gives it some spice and holds it altogether.
It’s hard to not compare the next track to Oasis. The guitar opening and chanting vocals of Iz Rite brings you back to the noughties in a happy place where Oasis reigned-supreme. The verses are the strong point, really coming into their own with the beat the focal point- a great lyrically-strong track.
I’m Just Saying is next up. Lyrics “ten years later” and great harmonies in the back of this one makes for a reflective track. It’s got the toe-tapping beat that Beady Eye do so well, and a great guitar instrumental shows off the catchy melody. As Gallagher speaks of things being not too late and its ‘his time to shine’, the lyrics show off the confidence and swagger of the frontman we have grown to love.
Don’t Bother Me shows off a Beatles influence which has popped up once or twice already on the album. A nice stripped-back track setting the tone for a song of love and family life. Lyrics of give peace a chance drum in the Beatles influence from a self-confessed Lennon fanatic. After all, he named his son after the late Beatles legend. This one is a quiet standout on the album for the acoustic guitar and timid lyrics alone. The longest track of the album, giving huge time for a psychedelic instrumental.
Shine a Light shows off the rest of Beady Eye in the chorus with appearance of heavy-vocals from the rest of the lads, there’s an impressive use of computerised noise and its steady and catchy drum beat driving the track from the verses into the chorus. There’s a nice production of computers, keys and guitar when the track breaks down, only to speed right back up with the beat a true stand -out.
Ballroom Figured opens with an Oasis-esque acoustic guitar. This is really stripped back track with the acoustic guitar and Gallagher’s lead vocals doing all the talking. Lryics “Some people change, move out of range” show this off as a nice song with emotional lyrics of the reflective nature- a reoccurring theme throughout the album.
Start Anew is again focusing on love and acoustic guitar, the appearance of so many of the latter quite surprising. This showcases a softer side to Gallagher, as he speaks of love and starting anew. The song breaks down to feature some heavy drums and guitar and echoing lyrics are then reintroduced changing this song from acoustic and gentle to something with a bit more kick. It’s a nice way to end the album, showing off Beady Eye’s wide use of sound and technique.
Oasis fans looking for some nostalgia in Beady Eye’s new release should probably go back to their vintage collections. This is Beady Eye, a solid band with an enjoyable second album (hopefully) bridging the gap between a reunion of a band that would blow The Stone Roses second coming right out the water.
By Nadine Walker