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"We've experimented or whatever it is, what more do you fucking want?"
Liam Gallagher's appraisal of his band's follow-up to the ironically pedestrian 'Different Gear, Still Speeding', has been typically arrogant and dripping in his usual self-belief. During its finer points, the record is an improvement on their 2011 debut, but the new-found "magic" Gallagher cites as being present on 'BE' is missing for protracted spells.
The decision to bring in TV on the Radio's Dave Sitek as 'BE's producer was a smart decision though. The album's opener 'Flick of the Finger' is a highlight that is a real signal of intent. The track is the most expansive Gallagher and co have sounded for some years. A huge brass section brings the track to life and Sitek pushes the frontman's vocal right to the front of the mix.
Watch 'Flick Of The Finger', performed on Jools Holland, below
A spoken word cameo from 'Fonejacker' star, Kayvan Novak, sounds ridiculous on paper, but actually works perfectly as he recites an extract from Tariq Ali's book 'Street Fighting Years- An Autobiography of the Sixties'.
Unfortunately the record only gets less interesting from here. 'Soul Love' and 'Face the Crowd' are from the same arsenal of mediocrity that defined Different Gear, Still Speeding.
Lead single 'Second Bite of the Apple' again benefits no end from Sitek's involvement. There's a heavier, more layered element to the track that simply couldn't be heard before.
Watch 'Second Bite Of The Apple' below
Gallagher and Sitek's reported mutual ignorance of each other's work is something that seems to have worked well for the partnership as a whole.
It's hard to imagine the former getting too much of a kick from TV on the Radio, however following the collaboration he recently described Sitek as "the maddest bastard in thick-rimmed glasses since my Grandma".
But as 'Soon Come Tomorrow' rears its ugly head, my reaction is one of the kind of bluntness that is normally synonymous with Gallagher... (Despite Sitek's best efforts) you can't polish a turd.
'Iz Rite' is a nauseatingly bad title. The track's sound is slightly more bearable, but will only really bring joy to grieving Oasis fans still weeping into their lager, struggling to let go.
'I'm Just Saying' picks things up a bit. A jaunty chorus is matched with a sudden injection of urgency. The track is one of few on the album that could be seen as having the credentials to have made it onto an Oasis record (probably not one of the good ones though).
'Don't Brother Me' is a pleasant listen. The 7-minute ballad is given the kind of space we would expect from fellow Mancunians like Elbow and I Am Kloot. But the fact remains both those bands boast infinitely more talented lyricists than Beady Eye, and the track is at its best when Gallagher shuts up.
'Shine a Light' and 'Ballroom Figured' are formulaic, drab, and devoid of any kind of engagement.
'Start Anew' rounds the album off quite nicely. But unfortunately the filler on BE far outweighs some glimpses of an intriguing new direction.
The world doesn't really need this album. The musicians involved didn't really need to make it, yet people will buy it, and some of them will like it.
I myself look forward to the "magic" of record number three with very little anticipation.
