Album Review: Oasis Digs Out Your Soul

Oasis have returned from the vacuous depths of rock ‘n’ roll, overcoming sibling rivalry and wildly ostentatious lifestyles to release their seventh studio album, “Dig Out Your Soul.”

The record instantly hypnotizes the listener with it’s own take on the Beatles-laden psychedelia sound, while simultaneously planting it’s stamp on the ever familiar brit pop genre. Reminiscent of their earlier work, “Dig Out Your Soul” is an album that reaches heights that one wouldn’t expect from a band that’s been in the game this long.

Staying true to their precious form, “Dig Out Your Soul” can almost instantaneously be labeled a classic. The real truths give way to swaggering rock songs, touched with a smattering of bombast that true fans have come to rely on. The first track on the album, “Bag It Up” pulls the listener in immediately; the lilting melody passionately vying for your attention.

Reflecting an inner peace for the Gallagher brothers - without losing any of the braggadocio that made their music (and personal lives) so entertaining, the polished music is still laced with sounds of nature and every day life, eliciting memories of 1995’s "(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?" However, unlike previous albums, Noel carries the reigns on the majority of songs. Liam takes over on vocal duties for only three of the eleven tracks that comprise their latest release, including the first single “The Shock of Lightning.”

What’s unique in this album over previous work is the focus and attention on more of a riff based songwriting style. An array of musical authors gives their sound a new perspective, while still managing to maintain the classic rock ‘n’ roll hallmarks that the brothers have always brought to their music. Songs like “The Turning” and “To Be Where There’s Life” channel psyche-influenced Beatles tunes, not unlike those found on “The Magical Mystery Tour.”

The boys have managed to firmly cement themselves in the vast world of rock ‘n’ roll by striking a balance; effortlessly maintaining their unique sound, while still keeping a watchful eye on a fickle industry. On the whole, the album is a more mature Oasis, one that’s been through the worst and made the best of it. The attitude remains the same, but the songs don’t. For instance, “(Get Off Your) High Horse Lady” sounds like John Lennon got together with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and wrote a ballad specifically with the intention of having Oasis play it. Not exactly a tune you would expect to hear on their earlier releases.

Salty sweet lyrics, playful bass lines, swooshing guitars, and catchy hooks make it easy to slip inside the eye of your mind and get lost for 45 minutes in your own private oasis. From start to finish, the stalwart brit-pop kings have done it once again by doing what they do best: making music to “Dig Out Your Soul.”

Oasis will be playing the Staples center with Ryan Adams and the Cardinals on Thursday, December 4th.