too bad for you. i listen to happy rockl

I didn't want to start a new thread for my review so I will just place it here, though it is not a drag.

Before you read it, note I am not tough to please. Also, Liam's song writing does not bug me at all. I have been listening to it many times since the leak so now I feel I am comfortable to officially rate it.

Bag It Up

A great opener, I can't remember a time Liam sang the way he does right at the beginning, reminds me of Edwin from I Mother Earth (I am not comparing the two). Its nice to hear a rocker like this at the beginning and the outro into the intro of the next song is amazing.

8.5/10

The Turning

Again, for some reason I hear a bit of I Mother Earth at the beginning. But nontheless, this is one of the standout tracks of the album. I love how it starts of calm then explodes into the chorus. Noel's bit at the end is brilliant. This is the perfect type of non-single (I'm assuming), a quality tune which isn't just filler. This is some great work.

9.5/10

Waiting For The Rapture

This song has had mixed reviews, but I'm not the biggest fan. I guess this would be my Muckey Fingers or Force of Nature of the album, though it is better than both. Its a good effort from Noel and his voice sounds great. I just don't feel like this song does too much or goes very far and the alternate version is better. Maybe it needs to grow on me but I still find it a bit dull and a weaker part of the album.

6.5/10

The Shock Of The Lightning

Another standard Oasis opener, only in a few years time will we know how it really stands agaisnt the likes of songs like Lyla or the Hindu Times. I think its great, catchy, loud and you gotta love the drum solo. There could have been a longer guitar solo though. For a song made in 24 hours, it is quite well done and a great choice for the opening single.

8.5/10

I'm Outta Time

I have always been a fan of most Liam songs and I hope most Liam haters put a sock in their mouth for this one. This is most likely his best, quite the effort. It is the needed balad, every album needs one. Let There Be Love dropped the ball so we have not had a proper ballad since Stop Crying Your Heart Out. Liam sounds like a kid again and the song just flows so beautifully. Its a song for the girlies as Noel said, which is what is needed. With the proper marketing, this song can do better than SCYHO and really help Oasis get back into the mainstream in the US.

10/10

(Get Off) Your high Horse Lady

This one sure is different. It is very catchy and it fits the album well. I just get different moods when I listen. Sometimes I just love it and other times I wonder if it would just be another above-average b-side from the Heathen Chemistry era. Either way, it fits the flow perfectly and sets up Falling Down amazingly.

7/10

Falling Down

Here is Noel's great sung effort. This song is actually very powerful and very well done. The chorus is amazing and the oooo's are moving. It was amazing live and should be for years to come. This is definately one of the album's strong points.

8.5/10

To Be Where There Is Life

Though it is quite mellow, I just love this song. I love the sitars and I like the experimental way of not adding guitars. I always have to sing along with it. But the the Dig Out Your Soul part absolutely makes this song. That part is huge, I just love the force of it. It sums up the band perfectly. This is Gem's best effort.

8/10

Ain't Got Nothing

This is interesting. Everyone hated the demo. Most people hate this version, though they feel it is an improvement. I was in love with the demo. Everyone probably thought I was nuts, but I just loved the swagger and Liam's snarl fit the mood perfectly. I actually think this version is worse. Call me crazy, but Liam's voice is cleaned up, which is worse for this song. Also, the strings from the demo turned into something that sounds keyboardish and the solo is not as distinct. Still not bad but I'd prefer the demo.

7/10

The Nature Of Reality

This is another interesting effort. The verses are catchy and I love the solo. But where's the chorus? The lack of one really hampers this song, it could have been much better, though not a bad effort from Andy.

7.5/10

Soldier On

Funny thing is, I think this song could have been so much better, almost epic. Most people have complained about Liam not completing his songs, I never have, until now. With an actual chorus, some solos and maybe some epic harmonies, this could have been the next Champagne Supernova. Funny how it seems I am solely criticising it, yet it is one of my favourite songs on the album. Liam sounds great and its the type of thing where you can't explain it. Even though it could have been much better, it is still unbelievably brilliant, I can't stop listening to it.

9.5/10

Overall: 8.2/10

Overall this is a great album. I do not feel that Boy With The Blues or I Believe In All should have made the cut. They are both really good, in fact BWTB probably would have been top 6 for me on this album, but they are more DBTT. With the way Noel has described I Wanna Live A Dream In My Record Machine and Come On, Its Alright, this album probably could have been better with them but it is already good enough and now I can be excited for the next one. This album could have used some better choruses throughout but other than that it is quite solid. Here is my order of the albums as of now. This one will never go higher than where it is now though, 1994-1997 was just too epic for me, I can never forget the brilliance of that era.

WTSMG
DM

BHN
DOYS

DBTT

SOTSOG
HC