Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds — Council Skies — Album Review
Alternative | Britpop
Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Music
If I had to choose between one of the two Gallagher brothers for the best solo discography, it unfortunately wouldn’t be Noel. After the infamous split-up of the two leading forces behind Oasis, it was actually Liam who wound up eventually having my preferred solo discography, despite Noel, through his new band The High Flying Birds making music years prior.
This band had been going for such a while now, that we find ourselves faced with the fourth studio album from Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, titled Council Skies. And while I had listened to snippets of all three of the prior albums, I never had the time nor willpower to look at any of the albums from the High Flying Birds in a critical context, until the day when I finally decided to give this band a chance at breviewing, which just so happens to be right now.
Council Skies, as the title may suggests, depicts a focus upon Noel’s upbringing in a council estate, looking up to the skies as a dreamer full of hope. And thus, said narrative is the best excuse that Noel has had to push forward that anthemic and uplifting mushiness that he is so well-known for.
While I was always see Liam as the better performer, and in turn the more entertaining and enjoyable of the two brothers, it should not go without saying that I feel that Noel is the better musician, and this does come through in a list of songs that are pretty dense in atmosphere with its layered instrumentations.
I do have to beg the question, however; why in the hell was this album released now, and not later in the year? The sobering atmosphere that this album absolutely oozes would’ve been a much better addition to the autumnal quarter of the musical year. But when nestled in with all of the summer goodness that other artists are evidently striving for, it’s fair to say that this record sticks out like a sore thumb by comparison. Although, I suppose it is quite on brand for Noel to bring the vibe down like this.
And even when you take the time of its release out of the equation, the style that this album so consistently sticks to does get very samey the further I ventured in to the record.
But, credit where credit’s due, however; there are surely quite a few tracks on this record that I can see myself turning to when the summer reaches its end, as it does have that effect in its best moments, in which it succeeds in being that form of project to uplift listeners despite more drab odds, a sentiment that reflect the underlying premise of the album pretty well.
In short, I’m still not completely sold on being a big High Flying Birds fan anytime soon. However, there is indeed a fair handful of moments to cherry-pick on this album, that do bring out the better parts of Noel’s aesthetic.
Favourite Tracks: Pretty Boy | Easy Now | Council Skies
Least Favourite Tracks: There She Blows! | Love Is A Rich Man
Sour Mash Records
