Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds – Chasing Yesterday
The promise of Noel Gallagher's Amorphous Androgynous collaboration seems like the product of a weird drug-infused dream these days. The combination of a solid craftsman and a mad electro-duo joining forces was a prospect potentially mind-blowing, which might have fended off reunion calls far more effectively than High Flying Birds have thus far. But it is what it is, and Noel is what he is – a talented songwriter with a small toolbox (figuratively speaking) who knows how to make it work for him.
Chasing Yesterday wastes no time pretending it’s something that it’s not, opening with a very Wonderwall-inspired chord progression. Song relations aside, it’s a sophisticated opener that showcases Gallagher’s more thoughtful approach to lead guitar – there aren’t actually any unison bends on this album, is that allowed?
It becomes apparent very quickly that this is business as usual; a mix of interesting and not-so interesting melodies. In the Heat of the Moment is one of the weaker and more obnoxious moments, and after My Chemical Romance killed “Na, Na, Nas” forever, it’s a brave choice for a lead single. Several tracks on this record are prefixed with short studio noises to give that ‘working feel’ – a sense that ‘this is Noel putting on his boiler suit’, but instead of a wrench he’s got a Gibson 335.
Fans may have fun playing ‘spot the Oasis connection’ on this record – and most likely any future solo project – but despite the fact The Girl With the X-Ray Eyes resembles The Masterplan it is undoubtedly a pleasant, sturdy album track with enough retro flavoured noodling to make it rather enjoyable. The one thing that does irritate is the lyrical clichés at times “it makes me want to X” is a set-up heard so many times from the Gallaghers it may well be trademarked.
There is a distant remnant of the AA collaboration in the form of The Right Stuff, a jazz-tinged stroll on melancholy hill. Disappointingly however, it’s one of the highlights, prompting thoughts of what could have been. The Sax solo and altogether feel evokes Pink Floyd, not a complete coincidence as he has been quoted in saying “I fucking love you” to Dave Gilmour – surprisingly there are no rumours of DG/NG album.
So what are we left with? A record compositionally the same as most of his other output, but we knew that already. Ballad Of the Mighty I is a strong closer; those sixteenth note high hats get you every time and it has that jangly Johnny Marr garnish to elevate it above Noel’s rudimentary guitar work.
Post-Oasis solo projects usually have short use-by dates, they last a couple of weeks before you go back to the genesis of the song and forget all about its latest incarnation. Chasing Yesterday has something more than his debut solo record however, there’s a maturity and refinement that the self-titled effort lacked – and more importantly a bit of vigour behind it. The gossamer-like vocals on AKA… What a Life! were limp and strained, something that isn’t an issue on this well-layered, authentic slab of 70s inspired soft-rock. Not necessarily a progression, but an indication that Noel is still able to apply his trade and make microscopic improvements to the formula as he ages.