BEADY EYE rock Sound Academy June 20. See listing. Rating: NNN
Despite the departure of his brother Noel, Liam Gallagher felt that Oasis wasn’t broken, just in need of a few small repairs. So with the band’s former bassist, Andy Bell, now on guitar and a new name slapped on like a fresh decal on an old road case, here comes Beady Eye, chasing that first musical high of Oasis’s debut, Definitely Maybe.
If their only goal was a return to the basics of Oasis – which, as the tired but true criticism goes, owes so much to the Beatles catalogue – unambitious mission accomplished. Different Gear, Still Speeding is rife with the catchy, strum-intensive songs and nasal John Lennon impression the band was first known for. Kill For A Dream and The Roller wouldn’t sound out of place on (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? But nothing here is as spare or simple as Wonderwall.
Top track: The Roller
