I don't hear Start Me Up; on another song on the album I think I hear a Rolling Stones song, can't think of which one....

Godzilla bless.

It's different kind of album, people should relax and listen to it, try to feel the music, not to analyze it to much, stop thinking about choruses, verses, comparing it to Noel's previous work.

But on the other hand, it's just not that good. In my opinion anyway. I get the idea and all that and respect Noel for doing this but that is not enough. He can't hide behind that and call parka monkeys everybody that doesn't suck his dick. I listened to this album with an open heart and enjoyed it, but it's nothing spectacular. And the biggest fear I have is that Noel will not emotionally connect with people and that this album will be more and more irrelevant as every day goes by and soon forgotten. I already don't feel the urge to listen to it again, there are albums in similar genre that are far superior and that I would rather listen if I want to listen that kind of music.

7.5/10

I quite like the Start Me Up bit.

I always imagine Noel doing the Jagger rooster dance to it.

X

In my poor opinion its his worst album by miles, one i hardly want to hear again, even if i m tryin hard...The only track i wanna hear again n again is TMWBTM, but nothing close to it, an epic moment of genius that makes the whole album sounds like a joke. And i dont get at all the love for DITW, just a good b side track, more likea poor "demo" version of TDOTL

5/10

After taking the album in some more, I think I'm going to give this an 8.5/10.

It's fuckin' good, man.

After first listen:

#1 Fort Knox: 10/10 (Now THIS is how you start an album. It breaks down the doors, lets everyone know it's here, and marches right in. I could just imagine this song kicking off some sort of badass film, it's just sooo good. Easily one of the top five best HFB songs.)

#7 Holy Mountain: 8/10 (At first, I wasn't sure what to think about this song but after some time with it, it's a very good tune, a good single and fun song that carries on the excitement of the opener. This is what In the Heat of the Moment could've been.)

#10 Keep on Reaching: 6/10 (This comes in well after HM. It carries the excitement and attitude that the first two songs and leads in well to It's a Beautiful World. I like the brass section and the twinkling synth layers that are inserted here. It sounds a little punk but also bluesy. It's nothing too special besides that, I'd classify it more as a filler song but a good one though.)

#3 It's a Beautiful World: 9/10 (Lovely tune, definite standout. This is like a sister song to Ballad of the Mighty I, but seems to stem moreso from the beautiful interlude on that song than the driving attitude BOTMI has. I'm impressed that Noel was able to make such an a restrained and atmospheric song that still manages to soar into the stratosphere, and I don't think it would've been done without David Holmes's help. I'd go as far to say it's a masterpiece)

#6 She Taught Me How to Fly: 8/10 (I like how it has an 80s, new wave vibe but sounds very modern and like something that's going to stand the test of time. It's nice to hear Noel give a nod to New Order/Joy Division while also squeezing a bit of that BHN-esque euphoria (reminds me of I Got the Fever) in there while not going too far with it.

Interlude 1: 4/5 (Very trippy but also smooth and silky. This builds off of some of what we heard on CY with The Right Stuff and Riverman. It has a cinematic feel to it and would go well in the background of an action montage scene with the main characters; reminds me of Fez/Being Born by U2 as well.)

#5 Be Careful What You Wish For 8.5/10 (I like how this song is laidback but very bluesy at the same time. Noel using his lower register also sounds perfect in this context and is something we don't get enough. This song starts out as being about the only one I can think of that would fit within an Oasis album (specifically Dig Out Your Soul), but it progresses very well to be a departure from any kind of Noel, Liam, or Oasis sound. All-around good, very trippy, very sexy(?) (Dare I say? Wow, it's hard to believe that is a quality for an Oasis-related song) song. I like it. Well done Noel!)

#9 Black & White Sunshine 6.5/10 (Probably the weakest song on the album but it's still good.  It's also the most Oasis-like, but I can't think of any album where this song would actually fit so that's a good mark on the song especially within such an un-Oasis like album.  

#8 If Love is the Law: 7.5/10 (This has an interesting sound to it. It has a Motown feel at some points which is pretty unique for Noel. It's something fun for Noel and it makes sense being placed between two more serious songs. I wouldn't mind hearing a couple more songs like this from Noel. Additionally, I like how well it flows into The Man Who Built the Moon, especially since it is almost a 180 of that song.) 

#2 The Man Who Built the Moon: 9.5/10 (Wow, this kicks in hard. Right from the start, you know this song means business and it does so. Some people say it sounds like Wonderwall, but I don't see it. Sure it has the grandiose nature of Wonderwall but my gosh does it sound like so much more than that. There's a little bit of When the Levee Breaks, Bullet the Blue Sky, Politik, James Bond theme music, and shoot even Mirrors by Justin Timberlake, the latter which is one of the better pop songs released over the last few years. Best song on the album, no doubt. I would take a few more songs like these)

End Credits: 5/5 (As others have said, this sounds like the credits music when you're on your way out of the theater. It wraps up the loose ends of the album and comes in after TMWBTM very well. While it is similar to the first interlude, it's just different enough and in a different context that it works. What's cool is that Dead in the Water feels like that one song hyped up before the movie release that you have to wait until after the initial credits music to hear, kind of a like bonus for those who stick around even after the end.)

#4 Dead in the Water: 9/10 (Lightning in a bottle. It's a special moment whenever you can capture one of the greatest songwriters of the last 25 years undisturbed in his element and you get just that here. This song has all the unadulterated tenderness and power you could ask from a Noel song and it sounds like a step forward for his songwriting. It doesn't sound anything like the other acoustic tracks he's done (Half the World Away, Talk Tonight, Wonderwall, The Dying of the Light) but it would fit just right alongside those songs. The lyrics are also another high mark this song has. The song works as a nice companion to TMWBTM. This is almost a comedown from everything that happens in that song.)

Impressions: 

It's been beaten to death, but I would say this album is a definite rival to BHN and is up there with the first HFB album. It's fresh, exciting, has an amazing flow, and is of high quality with some good writing which is probably the most important element of them all imo. Noel and David collaborated well, and it seems as though this album is going to age well which is great. There aren't any "of-the-time" production tricks going on and that many of the sounds on this album will still sound just as good five years now as they do now. The only song I could see aging poorly is Keep on Reaching, as it does have some of that dark, gritty, modern production that might be get outdated in time but other than that, I think the rest of the songs will stand the test of time.

Nevertheless, I do want to see Noel work with David again and to push the sound further (if not David, then someone who will do so and do so well). Explore more electronica, hip-hop, and other forms of music, drop the guitar a little more from the songs. This album is a realization of what SOTSOG could've been but without the chains of Oasis there anymore, I want to see Noel go further and really, really get out there. 

That aside, I hope this album does not go underrated. This is just the right album that needs to be played to the Noel naysayers to hush them. Noel needed a kick forward to evolve his sound and formula, and that's exactly what happened here. I think this album could've done well with another song, as the whole thing goes by so quickly, but it leaves you satisfied at the same time and really enjoying the songs that you've just received. Personally, I already have a love for the top seven tracks, which is awesome. Very good album.

Overall Rating: 8.3/10 (8.7/10 without the bottom two tracks)

So far my favorite song is either 'Be Careful What You Wish For' or 'Black & White Sunshine', can't remember which one I prefer, was listening to the album in the car while drinking and driving.....drinking green tea with matcha, which completely changed my perspective. Couldn't concentrate on the music, rush hour traffic and not in a music mood in general.....

So far I like the album, not the best album in the last 50 years but ok, seems like the kind of album that would be nice to play at a party, in the background, not blaring....or nice to play while lounging around the house doing whatever, maybe while getting rid of a body.

Need to listen to the album with some earphones.....

Thanks.

In Texas, listening to it all day. Some of the songs, I didn’t like on the first listen, but loved them on the second. Really on each listen I liked the enitre thing more and more. Greatness. I even like Be Careful.... My least favorite is actually Dead in the Water, but even that one is good.
I love how upbeat and joyous the album is. It is poppy in a good way but still seems from the heart. Noel’s only mistake was building it up as some sort of psychedelic journey. But he seems to consistently made that sort of overstatement for every song and album! Who knows what goes on in the mind of Noel...

First impression is musically it's far and away the best thing he's ever done, great production even if it takes some getting used to after the more straight forward production of other Noel records. But from a songwriting "craft" perspective, I'd say Noel comes up with stronger songs/melodies when he's writing at home and not in the studio with a producer. Overall though there's a really positive energy to the record and I think several of these tunes are going to grow on me big time, there's an infectious joy to a lot of this album.

It grows on me. The heights on this album are one of his best. But there is just too much filler.

Just noticed on the vinyl label....

Side A = Earth Side
Side B = Dark Side