Oasis
Dig Out Your Soul

THE REVIEW

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.