Beady Eye - Different Gear, Still Speeding, a review

I'm not going to do a 'Q' here and fill you in on an incredibly well-documented and soap-operatic backstory to Beady Eye. There's going to be a lot of expectations about 'Different Gear, Still Speeding' - will they ever match up to Oasis? Should we judge this completely independently? The latter's always going to be difficult given such a legacy.

There is certainly an unmistakable air of retro about the record. From the first single's uncanny resemblance to John Lennon's "Instant Karma" to song titles referencing the Beatles and Stones, this is very much a celebration of the great British songwriters - a league that Liam Gallagher sits comfortably in.

Opener 'Four Letter Word' is already a favourite of mine - brash, exciting, it kicks off the show impeccably. "Nothing ever lasts forever" is spat over bold brass backdrops and dizzying guitar solos whilst violins and drums try to compete. 'Millionaire' is comparatively chilled, more blues-inspired and drawing sitars into the blueprints. A pleasant song but nothing more.



I'm of the camp that was rather offended by 'The Roller'. To put out a record that so blatantly mimics, and to a lesser quality, a John Lennon classic is a foolish move and whether it was intentional or not it smacks of emulation rather than revelation. It's tawdry and reeks of a lack of imagination. To follow this with a song referencing those who you're parodying is brave, or stupid. It's got a good rhythm and vibe to it, but Liam seems to fade into the background and it never goes anywhere.

'Wind Up Dream' by comparison is fresh, drawing in a grungier feel and welcomely changing the scenery. The vocals are Liam at his peak, harmonicas and tambourines persist and it sounds...good. 'Bring the Light' was released as the first single and it's not hard to see why - with such a stomping sound and great music. But there's a notable dip in the songwriting...

'For Anyone' immediately made me sit up and go 'Wonderwall' from the opening chords but it thankfully isn't that distasteful. It carries much of the same radio-friendly pleasant sounds but again seems a little too...shallow. 'Kill For A Dream' however is much more majestic; although the verses have a slightly worrying resemblance to Nickelback's "Rockstar", it's lighters-in-the-air and one of the finest tracks on offer.



'Standing on the Edge of the Noise' is just that, letting the 50s rock and roll influences speak for themselves. It's one of those tracks that's bound to remind you of older material that you enjoy but that's just about all it's good for. 'Wigwam' seems to have floated in from the 90s, all drum crescendos and moody verses. Again it's a pleasant detour but it's nothing you haven't heard before.

'Three Ring Circus' is...there. It actually sounds more Status Quo than Stones, it's just so...bland. 'The Beat Goes On' (perhaps accidentally) nods to 'All The Young Dudes' with a pleasant summery youthful vibe that would work if they weren't nearly in their 40s. Finally, 'The Morning Son' is a drastic change of tune. It possesses all of the laidback gorgeousness of 'Champagne Supernova' but Liam's echoes carry it in a direction all of its own.

So we have an album that opens and ends brilliantly, but there's no avoiding that gap. Whilst the intentions are noble, the sounds are great, the tributes well-deserved, there's definitely something missing. I'm not saying Noel - but something new. It's all very well borrowing 70s hooks and 60s songwriting tricks but for someone so desperate to establish a new direction it's hardly the best path.

Rating: 6/10
Highlights: Four Letter Word, The Morning Son, Bring the Light, Kill For A Dream
Avoid: The Roller, Three Ring Circus, Wigwam