[photo by Jennifer, review by Pat]
Confidence is something that I have had to work on at different times in my life. Every once in a while, I find myself having to stop and have a conversation with myself in the mirror. A little face-to-face with my face. I imagine the computer kids can use facetime technology for the same effect nowadays. Me, I still prefer the bathroom mirror. Depending on what challenge is arising at the time, it can play itself out more Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, or Stuart Smalley. Wikipedia says “Confidence can be a self-fulfilling prophecy, as those without it may fail or not try because they lack it, and those with it may succeed because they have it rather than because of an innate ability”. That Wikipedia is a pretty smart guy. Confidence and creativity go hand-in-hand, or at least face-to-face.
Noel Gallagher has a reputation of being a pretty confident guy. Some would say overconfident (read arrogant). From all the interviews I have read with him, I think he is really funny, really British, and really funnily British. And listening to his music over the years, his confidence has the songs to back it up. On his first post-Oasis solo effort, the self-titled “Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds” (Sour Mash Records, 2011), he delivers an album strong enough to continue backing up The World According to Noel. Check out the song “AKA ...What a Life” on Jools Holland’s show as proof -
While Paul Weller may have taken his fans on a surprise right turn with his Style Council post-Jam work, Noel Gallagher’s sound does not stray far from his work with Oasis. I would have been surprised, and probably disappointed if it did. I think he simply builds on what he did before. He keeps the basic British guitar rock/pop base, but now adds some killer well-placed strings, horns and choir backups to the mix. Reminiscent of the way the Rolling Stones played around with all these elements while still staying a rock band at their core. After all, who does not love a ragtime break down in a song. I know I do.
With the strength of this album, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds will be flying high for a long time to come. Check it out.
- PLC
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be sure to check out Pat's other awesome music monday reviews:
- last week - The New Pornographers
- last month - Toro y Moi
- full archive of Music Monday with PLC - HERE
