It's definitely the Gallagher album which requires the most repeated listens to take in all of the little things going on in the mix, however since Friday I've probably given it 10 play throughs so feel as qualified as I'll ever be to rate it:

Fort Knox - just keeps getting better and better. What a fucking triumph this song is. Initially i thought it was an interesting concept and an enjoyable listen, but now once the dust has settled I fully appreciate what Noel and Holmes were aiming for. 8.50/10 (and rising......)

Holy Mountain - another grower. Love its loud and proud feel although it is a minute too long and the lyrics are a bit crap, the 'you can blow my mind if you're that way inclined' line is a toe curler. Sort of appears as though Noel was trying to go for a bit of a Some Might Say feel good vibe. 7/10

Keep on Reaching - A real surprise and one of a kind song in Noel's back catalogue. Love the pounding drums and vocal performance here. For me it's a song which really shows just how what Noel can do with the right producer. Would have liked the crescendo-like outro to be a bit longer though. 7.50/10

It's a Beautiful World - I feel underwhelmed by this as an album centrepiece and hyped up single, that said I certainly think it's a decent tune. Would have preferred a solo of some sorts instead of Frenchie. I like the vocal effects on the chorus though, think that works well. 7/10

She Taught Me How To Fly - it's too long again, lacking in variation and needs a proper solo but I can't help but enjoy that classic Noel chorus. Would have probably fit on a later Oasis album. 7/10

Be Careful What You Wish For - seems like a lesser Right Stuff to me. I like the laid back atmosphere of the music and enjoy the little build up in the outro but don't like the female vocals and the third verse is completely unnecessary IMO. 6/10

Black & White Sunshine - the weakest song on the album for me. Whilst BCWYWF is generally listenable despite lacking a bit of something, this is just a bit shit. Plodding, poorly produced (there I said it) with more than a hint of SOTSOG/HC's respective nadir moments, this is one of Noel's worst solo songs. 4/10

Interlude 1 - passable/listenable/whatever. Agree with Noel when he says that this should have been after STMHTF in the track listing. 6/10

If Love Is The Law - seriously adverse to ANYTHING sleigh bells related, however its melody is classic Noel pop. Love the breakdown and harmonica solo from Johnny Marr. Future single? 7/10

The Man Who Built The Moon - Love the darkness of this song and it's a really great choice for a closing track. The verses are better than the chorus IMO, mainly because of that constant high pitched synth, string or keyboard which is probably in there for epic effect but I just find it irritating. Can see why people are loving this one. 7.50/10

Interlude 2 - See Interlude 1. Would be nice to see if Noel ever releases a full version of this track (with or without vocals). 6/10

............

Dead In The Water - Noel doing what he does best........heartfelt and beautiful. I really think its inclusion as a bonus track adds something to the album. A timely reminder that despite all of the lush production values on this album, it's the basics of Noel's songwriting which we all fell in love with how ever long ago that it was when we first discovered Oasis. 9/10


Overall I'm going to go with a 7/10 rating for the album. It's definitely an enjoyable listen generally, however that mini mid-album malaise makes it difficult not to skip BCWYWF, B&WS and Interlude 1 and go straight from STMHTF to ILITL. I also feel as though there's not enough stone cold classic tunes for it to warrant anything above the 7 mark.