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Post by webm@ster on Nov 30, 2011 17:35:28 GMT -5
By Mish Way, November 30, 2011 (straight.com)
At the Commodore Ballroom on Tuesday, November 29
Liam Gallagher is still cool, but that doesn’t make Beady Eye, his new post-Oasis project, a cool band. The group, its stage setup, songs, and sound weren’t nearly as fascinating Tuesday night as the way Gallagher radiates an overwhelming sense of celebrity.
After acrimoniously parting ways in 2009, Manchester brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher said goodbye to one of Britain’s most popular rock bands, Oasis. Topping the pops with hits like “Wonderwallâ€, “Champagne Supernovaâ€, and “Supersonicâ€, Oasis was both controversial (the Gallagher siblings fought incessantly on- and off-stage, both physically and verbally) and catchy, that perfect match drawing fans (and haters) from every corner of the spectrum. No press is bad press, right? It’s arguable that Oasis’s antics were often more popular than the music itself even though the group managed to secure a solid place in the FM radio limelight for over a decade.
Now Gallagher is on his own and, without the bombastic lead guitar and songwriting proficiency of his older brother Noel, he’s relying on his celebrity appeal as Beady Eye has kicked off a North American tour. And, of course, the newly crafted songs he’s written with old Oasis axemen Andy Bell and Gem Archer.
The thing about Gallagher is that people still buy into his shit. He’s crass, charismatic, cartoonish, and as commanding as a dictator. These are all the things that made him appealing to the masses back when Oasis busted into the mainstream music scene in 1994, and these are the things that still make him captivating today.
The crowd at the Commodore was a mixed bag of big-chested 40-somethings in Oasis shirts, excited tiny blond girls riding on people’s shoulders, and screaming die-hard Liam fans. As Beady Eye walked on-stage, the room filled with unified chants of “Liamâ€, repeated over and over until the rock star appeared. Dressed in what could have easily been something from his clothing line, Pretty Green, the younger Gallagher puffed out his chest like a drunken, aggressive bar jock ready to fight, spat on the stage, and scoped out the room.
As Beady Eye launched into “Four Letter Word†(one of the catchier songs off its debut album Different Gear, Still Speeding) the crowd hollered and all eyes were on the singer as he leaned into the microphone, leg extended to the side in his signature stance like a child tap dancer in a school musical. Between each song, Gallagher chugged bottled water, fixed his perfectly coiffed, 1960s mod haircut and edged towards the excited crowd like he was ready to pounce. “Beatles and Stones†(an obvious tribute to two great rock ’n’ roll bands he admires) and “Millionaire†followed as his chiselled, weathered face became red and wet with sweat.
Gallagher’s ego overshadowed the show, as his lyrics felt empty and void of any meaning, concerned as they were with stereotypically metaphorical lines about love, dreams, and loss. People threw cigarettes at his stylish tennis shoes as he asked where “all the chicks†were between songs like “The Roller†and “For Anyoneâ€. He wiped his face with a clean, white towel and sweated through his coat while introducing Beady Eye’s big hit, “Bring the Lightâ€, by asking, “Is anyone up for any irresponsible behaviour? That’s the name of the game, I think.†Although he didn’t do much, he was mesmerizing to watch, just for the fact that he was Liam Gallagher, spitting, stomping, and snarling within arm’s reach.
The other members of Beady Eye meant nothing.
Unfortunately, the difference between Beady Eye and Oasis is that the songs are simply not there. With Beady Eye you get a warm-hearted pop twang but no heroic melody, and that disappoints.
Noel’s solo project, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, isn’t gaining any great critical acclaim, and Beady Eye, although popular enough to almost fill the Commodore on a rainy Tuesday night, is barely sailing by. Maybe what kept Oasis’s music so tight, catchy and so irritatingly badass was the fire between its two battling siblings. Even though the two iconic rock ’n’ roll brothers have declared their public hatred for each other (they are currently in a legal battle with one another) the thing that is holding their “solo†careers back is one another. After all, there would be no Liam without Noel, and no Noel without Liam. That’s the shit part about family: sometimes the ones that drive you to insanity are the ones you need the most.
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Post by Silence Dogood on Nov 30, 2011 22:57:43 GMT -5
hmm... this review is all over the place. oh well, thanks for posting
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pheel
Oasis Roadie
You and I are gonna live forever
Posts: 345
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Post by pheel on Nov 30, 2011 23:21:33 GMT -5
I think it's a fair assessment to be honest. Noel's no frontman, Liam is somehow mesmerizing while doing nothing at all, Beady Eye's songs aren't there, Noel had the songwriting talent. Heard it all before lol, thanks for posting.
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Post by SunshineLullaby on Nov 30, 2011 23:24:10 GMT -5
Four Letter Word one of the catchier songs? It's definitely one of the best, but I'd say Millionaire, The Roller, and the like would be in consideration for that. But this review's pretty erratic anyway.
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Post by mkoasis on Dec 1, 2011 0:48:02 GMT -5
It's funny, I was there last night, right in front about two and a half meters from Liam and I thought it was one of the best 'Oasis' shows I've ever seen. The band was giving a terrific performance, Liam was having fun with the crowd. The crowd was actually pretty good too, it got pretty crazy at the barrier. I knew it woudl be a good crowd when people started singing along to "That's Entertainment" during the warm up music.
It was high-energy, powerful, loud, moving, everything. I have enjoyed the songs since March 1st, so I was so excited to hear them live, and they didn't disappoint. I sang/shouted along to them all (perhaps the screaming die hard liam fans, the author refers to) already starting to lose my voice by "Beatles & Stones". Even the songs that are less strong off the album, like B&S and KFAD were great live.
Liam's hard to take your eyes off, Gem is not so -in-your-face, but is also terrific in his more humble manner. Sharrock is just outstanding, as many noticed during the DOYS tour. Andy is less dynamic but knowing he wrote a lot of their strongest songs, certainly boosts his impact. If you know the band and what they're about, you enjoy them a lot more I think, rather than if you're hoping for a Gallagher vs Gallagher match (though Liam did open up by saying "We're Beady Eye and this is no folk show!")
I think the whole celebrity argument comes from the fact that to most people there Beady Eye IS Liam. To the more knowledgeable fan, there is much more to be admired and appreciated during the show.
I took some decent photos, I'll share them soon. If the reviewer didnt enjoy then fine, I don't really care. But he/she's trying to fit BDI into a gimmick or novelty act of some sort. For me, it was a stunning performance by 4 people who happen mean a lot to me (sure, thats bias but thats why I was right up there at the front). I was really impressed by their performance and I have to say, hearing all the new songs (as they played all their songs but WUD) live was amazing. I'm actually glad they didnt do any Oasis songs, it gave these new ones a real chance to shine.
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Post by mkoasis on Dec 1, 2011 0:59:23 GMT -5
It was also pretty cool when Liam signed someone's 12" DGSS album from the front row. The fellow in front of me brought a MCFC scarf which Liam took and kept up on stage and gave it back to him at the end. The girl who kept throwing cigs at Liam was behind me. I thought they'd have learnt after the Pacific Coliseum incident of 1996.
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Post by space75gr on Dec 3, 2011 10:58:23 GMT -5
It's funny, I was there last night, right in front about two and a half meters from Liam and I thought it was one of the best 'Oasis' shows I've ever seen. The band was giving a terrific performance, Liam was having fun with the crowd. The crowd was actually pretty good too, it got pretty crazy at the barrier. I knew it woudl be a good crowd when people started singing along to "That's Entertainment" during the warm up music. It was high-energy, powerful, loud, moving, everything. I have enjoyed the songs since March 1st, so I was so excited to hear them live, and they didn't disappoint. I sang/shouted along to them all (perhaps the screaming die hard liam fans, the author refers to) already starting to lose my voice by "Beatles & Stones". Even the songs that are less strong off the album, like B&S and KFAD were great live. Liam's hard to take your eyes off, Gem is not so -in-your-face, but is also terrific in his more humble manner. Sharrock is just outstanding, as many noticed during the DOYS tour. Andy is less dynamic but knowing he wrote a lot of their strongest songs, certainly boosts his impact. If you know the band and what they're about, you enjoy them a lot more I think, rather than if you're hoping for a Gallagher vs Gallagher match (though Liam did open up by saying "We're Beady Eye and this is no folk show!") I think the whole celebrity argument comes from the fact that to most people there Beady Eye IS Liam. To the more knowledgeable fan, there is much more to be admired and appreciated during the show. I took some decent photos, I'll share them soon. If the reviewer didnt enjoy then fine, I don't really care. But he/she's trying to fit BDI into a gimmick or novelty act of some sort. For me, it was a stunning performance by 4 people who happen mean a lot to me (sure, thats bias but thats why I was right up there at the front). I was really impressed by their performance and I have to say, hearing all the new songs (as they played all their songs but WUD) live was amazing. I'm actually glad they didnt do any Oasis songs, it gave these new ones a real chance to shine. +K
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