After years in the wilderness, Oasis have gone back to their roots. The band wear their musical influences proudly on their sleeves on their new album ‘Dig Out Your Soul’, a mix of 1960’s Psychedelia and 80’s Madchester rock.
Oasis always drew their strength from soaking up the best bits of British pop culture and playing it back in their own way. After plodding along fairly aimlessly for the past decade, the band now once more turn to the imagery and sounds of 1960s pop, combined with the Rave culture take on rock that fuelled Oasis’ 80s idols the Stone Roses.
It works surprisingly well. ‘Dig Your Own Soul’ is the first Oasis album since 1997’s ‘Be Here Now’ that I’ve played twice, back-to-back, and again.
Hear for yourself, listen here to a free stream of a selection of songs from the album. You can also listen to short samples of all album tracks using the Amazon MP3 player below.
The album not a throwback to the band’s 90’s heydays either. Never before have Oasis embraced 1960’s Psychedelia as openly as on ‘To Be Where There’s Life’ or ‘The Nature Of Reality’. You will find swirling guitars, Indian sitars, sound effects - the works. Maybe a bit overdone on ‘Get Off Your High Horse Lady’, but often applied subtly like on the cool Psych ballad ‘I’m Outta Time’.
It’s all very 1967. The Creation, Sgt. Peppers, Jimi Hendrix, Swinging London, 24 Hour Technicolour Dream, Syd Barrett’s Pink Floyd… you get the drift. Far from drifting off into Psychedelic dreams, Oasis stay firmly grounded, adding the sweaty power rock of The Who.
Album design and videos doff their cap at Psychedelia as well. Watch the video for ‘The Shock Of Lightning’. While the song may be a straightforward 90’s rocker, the video is all about flowery images and colour filters.
Watch Oasis’ Psychedelic Video For ‘Shock Of Lightning’
Oasis also revisit the heirloom of their revered idols and fellow Mancunians, the Stone Roses. The standout track among the straightforward rockers is ‘The Turning’ with its loose groove. Sure, there are noisier, guitar riff dominated tracks like ‘Bag It Up’, ‘Falling Down’ and ‘The Shock Of Lightning’, but ‘The Turning’ is pure understatement. Neat.
Interestingly, Oasis don’t generally mix the two styles on display here: Psych and ravey Rock. Songs fall either into one camp or the other. The one exception is ‘Soldier On’, which sounds a tad half-hearted. Well, there’s the potential for a new sound for the lads to bash around at rehearsals.
The biggest surprise for me was the general quality of the songwriting on ‘Dig Out Your Soul’. Few artists can write songs that can be picked up by anybody and still lend an air of class to a dubious coverversion or karaoke moment. That’s the sign of a true classic. If you want proof, Oasis have set up a YouTube page dedicated to ‘Dig Out Your Soul’ covers.
Fancy having a go yourself? Get free sheet music and join the competition. (Link valid at time of publication of this post!)
‘Dig Out Your Soul’ is a return to form for Oasis. If you were into the band during the heady Britpop days of the mid 90’s, you’ll enjoy their candy coloured Psychedelia obsession.
If you are new to Oasis, then ‘Dig Out Your Soul’ is a good introduction to a band that can write good, and occasionally great, pop songs.
Will Oasis bring some of their new energy on stage? Or will it all descend into bad Karaoke to the old hits? See for yourself and catch the lads on tour this autumn. Check dates and buy Oasis concert tickets online!
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Readers from the UK and Ireland can download Oasis’ new album from iTunes UK.
