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Rating:
In 2008 I wrote on 'Don't Believe The Truth' that Oasis were starting to become professional: an album that showed a definite evolution of their style compared to the past.
'Dig Out Your Soul' makes the leap in quality: tracks more elaborate than the previous one, in an almost continuous blend of Rock, Blues, and Psychedelia.
An album that, along with the previous one, does not capture like those 'easy' ones from 2002 onwards.
And such 'complexity' leads the band to no longer produce songs that captivate the listener in the long run and become classics, as had curiously happened with 'The Importance Of Being an Idle' three years prior.
'The Shock Of The Lightening' the first single, sounds late-era oasis-like, but it does not create deep interest compared to the first one from the previous album, 'Lyla.'
'I'm Outta Time' the second single, the best song written by Liam in his entire career with the band, while having a melody, arrangement, and heartfelt interpretation, did not sufficiently touch the heart (reading of its low chart position in England). This is a real shame (and one of my few favorite songs).
'Falling Down' among songs not catchy enough as singles was in my opinion the only sensible choice: among all the few songs sung by Noel in almost 15 years since the band's first album, it is for me the best in terms of music, arrangement, and lyrics. It cannot compare with 'Don't Look Back In Anger' or 'Half The World Away' ('The Masterplan' doesn't appeal to me as much), being from a different phase.
Perhaps instead, now as I write, it might have been the entryway to a pretty good (musical) solo career, compared to his brother's, from 2011 onwards.
Among minor but noteworthy tracks from the album, I feel compelled to mention only 'Ain't Got Nothing', quite a powerful Rock and Psychedelic piece, especially for the drums which, strangely, enhance the entire musical structure of the piece.
Not only the songs of 'Dig Out Your Soul', but also the booklet is a masterpiece of images (/i taken from the video of the first single) and the videos of the first two singles are beautiful (the 'cinematic-effect' one of 'The Shock Of The Lightening' and the one of Liam walking in nature with a record player at the end).
Before closing, a reflection: was the breakup between the two brothers in 2009 inevitable? Putting myself in Noel's shoes and according to his words, I think so.
When you are young, you have the strength to endure many repeated situations, but as you get older you want peace.
Therefore, although I was sad at the time about the event, over the years I could only understand the reasons behind what happened.
Would we want a return of Oasis on the scene? I would say yes, provided that between Liam and Noel there is complete reconciliation and a new beginning.
Will they be capable? It depends on them.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 Bag It Up (04:40)
Gold and silver and sunshine is rising up
Pour yourself another cup of Lady Grey
Take my hand in the meantime, when you've had enough
You'll find me on the end of a runway, babe
Tell the world that you love them in a melody
Send my old piano and a telegram
Gotta get me a doctor with a remedy
I'm gonna take a walk with the Monkey Man!
Someone tell me I'm dreaming
The freaks are rising up through the floor
Everything I believe in
Is telling me that I want more, more, more
Lay your love on the fire when you come on in
I got my hee-bee-jee-bies hidden in a bag
Tell me what you desire and we'll bag it up, high
Someone tell me I'm dreaming
The freaks are rising up through the floor
Everything I believe in
Is telling me that I want more, more, more
Lay your love on the fire when you come on in
I got my hee-bee-jee-bies hidden in a bag
Tell me what you desire and we'll bag it up, high
Shine a light on your fire when you come on in
I got my hee-bee-jee-bies hidden in a bag
Tell me what you desire and we'll bag it up, high
04 The Shock of the Lightning (04:59)
I'm all over my heart's desire,
I feel cold but I'm back in the fire,
Out of control but I'm tied up tight,
Come in, come out tonight..
Comin' up in the early morning,
I feel love in the shock of the lightning,
I fall into the blinding light,
Come in, come out, come in, come out tonight..
Love is a time machine,
Up on the silver screen,
It's all in my mind,
Love is a litany,
A magical mystery,
And all in good time, and all in good time,
And all in good time..
I got my feet on the street but I can't stop flyin',
My head is in the clouds but at least I'm tryin',
I'm out of control but I'm tied up tight,
Come in, come out tonight..
There's a hole in the ground into which I'm fallin',
So God's speed to the sound of the poundin',
I'm all into the blinding light,
Come in, come out, come in, come out tonight..
Love is a time machine,
Up on the silver screen,
It's all in my mind,
Love is a litany,
A magical mystery,
And all in good time, and all in good time,
And all in good time..
It's all in my mind,
Love is a time machine,
Up on the silver screen,
And all in good time, and all in good time,
And all in good time..
06 (Get Off Your) High Horse Lady (04:06)
Get off your high horse Lady, I don't need a ride tonight
Get off your high horse lady, I don't need a ride tonight
Lay down
I hear your soul song singing from a fire in the sky
I hear your soul song singing from a fire in the sky
Rain down
Rain down
Get off your high horse lady, I don't need a ride tonight
Get off your high horse lady, I don't need a ride tonight
Lay down
Lay down
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Other reviews
By jackas
For the past 15 years, Oasis has been moving on the same main coordinates: an anachronistic 70s rock’n’roll.
An absolutely mediocre album, at times almost poor.
By GrantNicholas
"Oasis convincingly excel in this newer morerock/psychedelic attire and less 'sneaky'..."
"'The Shock Of The Lightning' is a typical Oasis piece with a sprinkle of Primal Scream."
By faber
This glorious band has lost the spirit and polish of the beginnings, flattening into a tired and repeated re-proposal of the same formula.
Very few things are saved in this album: the surprising 'I'm outta time', truly remarkable if you think it's written by Liam.
By sexyajax
Their formula works, oh how it works, they sell at high levels all their copies, which are truly copies of copies of copies of Wonderwall adapted to a new, deep, and personal text.
Liam has understood almost everything about life, has understood how to trick you.
