Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Self Titled

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds self-titled debut album.  The problem is there’s nothing really memorable about it either.  It exists and is competent.  Will people like this album?  Yes, yes they will.  Will anyone love it?  Probably.  The majority, though, will probably hear this album and never think of it again—like a mediocre blind date.

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

For those unfamiliar with the antics and fights among the brother of the Brit-pop, Beatles-emulating band Oasis, Noel Gallagher is the more talented, cheekier brother.  Since their phenomenally successful album What’s the Story Morning Glory, Noel has threatened to do a solo project and sixteen years later it seems his threat has been realized.  He’s created a pop-infused album full of catchy hooks and upbeat numbers.

The songs are good; they really are.  It’s just they’re so forgettable.  Noel’s songwriting skills are strong and shine through on most of the album’s tracks.  The songs sound great and have toe-tapping melodies, but they’re over-produced.  It’s like any soul or life has been sucked out of every track, leaving Stepford-like songs that are sure to dazzle listeners with their beauty but leave them hollow because of their shallowness.

Some of the songs even sound like shells of earlier Oasis earlier hits.  “If I Had A Gun,” sounds strikingly similar to “Wonderwall,” Oasis’s most successful single.  This isn’t a bad thing necessarily, but it feels lazy.  “Dream On” sounds like a variation of “What’s the Story Morning Glory.” For a solo project, it would seem like this would be the opportunity for Noel to showcase his range; instead, it makes the listener long for old hits and Noel’s brother Liam’s more polished voice.

But then there are moments where greatness shines through.  The last minute of “AKA…What A Life” is haunting, “Soldier Boy and Jesus Freaks” is a well-carved pop song that bites just enough to make it stick, “The Death of You and Me” has a great instrumental hook, and “Stop the Clocks” is an effective album ender with a memorable conclusion.

Overall, the album is listenable and well made.  This might be the problem.  A stripped down, raw approach would have really made Noel’s solo effort stand out.  It’s worth a listen, but it probably won’t make anyone’s top ten.

Written by Rob Watkins