Oasis
Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants

THE REVIEW

A significant change of direction.
This is what comes to mind just after finishing listening to the fourth studio work by Oasis.

For some, this album shows a certain decline of the Mancunian band (now far from the glory days of Wonderwall and company...), for others it is simply an attempt to experiment with new instrumentation and new sounds... Well... I stand on both sides, because while it's true that this is not at all a memorable CD, it's also true that every band has the right to try to evolve and not become too entrenched in a single genre...

The start is exceptional with the instrumental and rocking "Fuckin' In The Bushes" (used as an opening tape in live shows), containing an excerpt from the movie "Isle of Wight 1970".
"Go Let It Out", the first single, is a classic early '90s brit-pop, just like "Where Did It All Go Wrong?".

The only truly rock'n'roll track is "I Can See A Liar," very upbeat, performed live only twice (and that's a shame)... Very simple (but very listenable) "Little James," dedicated by Liam to his son...
"Gas Panic!", "Roll It Over" and "Who Feels Love?" have a very particular sound, very psychedelic...
The only truly out-of-place and, in my opinion, unnecessary track is "Put Yer Money Where Yer Mouth Is," which could have easily been replaced by "Let's All Make Believe" (B-side of "Go Let It Out").
"Sunday Morning Call" is the classic Oasis-style ballad and was also released as a single.

In this album, there are three significant copies (or "inspirations," depending on how you see it): the vocal part of "Put Yer Money Where Yer Mouth Is" is almost identical to "Roadhouse Blues" by the Doors; the piano intro to "Little James" is similar to that of a certain "Let It Be," and finally, the solo of "Roll It Over" is almost identical to that of "Come Together," with a slightly slowed tempo (in short... there are always references to the Beatles... for better or worse...).

This work was marked by the departure from the group of guitarist Bonehead and bassist Guigsy (replaced by Gem Archer and Andy Bell, musicians of a whole different level)... it's not an album to own at all costs... only for true fans (I give it three stars because I am one of them, but it deserves something less, maybe a 2.5...)

"...Baby the time is right to tell it all like it is..."