My first review will be about Different Gear, Still Speeding from Beady Eye. Their first studio album. After the Gallagher brothers stopped playing together as Oasis, Liam Gallagher started up Beady Eye with Andy Bell, Gem Archer, Jay Darlington and Chris Sharrock (all ex-oasis members) and Jeff Wootton. The album was produced by Steve Lillywhite and this is what they came up with.
1. Four Letter Word
2. Millionaire
3. The Roller
4. Beatles And Stones
5. Wind Up Dream
6. Bring The Light
7. For Anyone
8. Kill For A Dream
9. Standing On The Edge Of The Noise
10. Wigwam
11. Three Ring Circus
12. The Beat Goes On
13. The Morning Son
2. Millionaire
3. The Roller
4. Beatles And Stones
5. Wind Up Dream
6. Bring The Light
7. For Anyone
8. Kill For A Dream
9. Standing On The Edge Of The Noise
10. Wigwam
11. Three Ring Circus
12. The Beat Goes On
13. The Morning Son
14. Sons of the Stage
15. World outside my room
“Four letter word” is a descent song with a catchy, powerful riff and Liam’s voice matches the music in a pleasant and typical way. The next song on the album “Millionaire” has a jazzy bluesy smooth undertone which creates a cozy atmosphere.
After "the roller", which is kind of poppy but that’s all I’ going to say about it, "Beatles and Stones" prevails. The title is well chosen because you can notice some beatles-like sounds during the song. Especially in the beginning. It has a Great vibe too.
“Wind up dream” is a song that can be used in TV-shows and stuff. It’s a good song with a cool atmosphere, great driving music too. “Bring The Light” is the first single and was released a little while ago. The piano and guitar stuff is really great while the lyrics are a bit repetitive. Especially near the end. Number 7, “For Anyone” is a sweet campfire setting song with the romance, the luvin and the cuddling included. So too is “Kill For A Dream”.
One of the best tunes is “Standing On The Edge Of The Noise”. A raw, strong and catchy record with a descent vibe. It keeps going, until it stops. Which brings us to the least enjoyable part of the CD. ”Wigwam” is a song that lasts way too long. “Three Ring Circus” is not especially great either. They both lack a bit of power and rhythm. Although the chorus and the solo in “Three Ring Circus” are acceptable. “The Beat Goes On” is rather nostalgic, but at least it has an atmosphere.
“The Morning Son” is a standard record with nothing really special going on. A calm hypnotic song. The album has 2 B-tracks. “Sons of the Stage” is perhaps the best song on the CD. The violins and the guitars mix well and Liam’s voice really suites the music. The vibe is all right and the rock and the roll are both present. “World outside my room” is a typical goodbye song. They leave on a quiet acoustic note. Fine by me.
“The beat breaks down so we pick it up
The floor shakes down but it's not enough
The beam is up and the kids are high
I've seen them move and it blows my eyes”
To summarize: Throughout the record the piano and the guitars mingle very well. You can hear that Beady Eye really is Oasis without Noel. It kind of sounds the same as before but without Noel’s influence, which results in the lack of power some of the songs have. But overall it's a good record with heights and depts. If you are into Britpop you should check it out. They will also play at Werchter 2011.
