Review Summary: The big comedown
If Be Here Now was the high, Standing On The Shoulder of Giants would be the come down. Recorded in a period of uncertainty in Oasis, the band, now a three piece, decided to try something different. Three records of straight forward britpop had worn them dry, and the loss of Guigsy and Bonehead from the band made recording the record even more of a challenge. Still, they tried to make it work. Noel, Liam and Alan went for something different. Standing On The Shoulder of Giants is instead a neo-psychedelica record, though one that still keeps hints of Oasis’ past stylings. While the usual Britpop anthems are here, they’re tinged with more exotic instruments. Mellotrons, sitars and synths all appear in this record, sometimes as sparse background details and sometimes full front. The raga-rock gem ‘Who Feels Love?’ Combines backwards guitars, tablas and electrical sitars to create a truly unique track.
Lyrically, Noel had moved away from his anthemic writing and was exploring darker ideas, fuelled mainly by his pill addiction at the time. Standout track ‘Where Did It All Go Wrong?’ Displays a sense of sheer regret and emotion, something the band rarely attempted as passionately as they did here. The album’s best song ‘Gas Panic!’ Is a prog-rock influenced nightmare, backed with a blaring siren and flute. The lyrics are unusual, dark and claustrophobic, adding greatly to the stuffy and sickening whirls of the track. The opening track ‘F*ckin’ In the Bushes’ is an out of control, furious instrumental with pounding drums and intense guitar lines. Interestingly enough this is the first oasis album to feature a song writing credit from another band member. This time it’s Liam who’s track ‘Little James’, written in tribute to his step-son, features on the record. Many oasis fans consider it one of, if not the, worst Oasis song. But I disagree, it’s a simple track and it works perfectly given the subject manner. Many criticise the nursery rhythm lyrics but do understand this was written for a child. Another standout is lead single ‘Go Let It Out’, a standard Oasis anthem, though with a unique twist of added drum loops, groovy bass lines and mellotron keys. The finale ‘Roll It Over’ is an epic, emotional tour de force which trails for 6 minutes before disappearing into the darkness
There are slights of course. ‘Put Yer Money Where Yer Mouth Is’ contains some of Noel’s worst song writing and ‘Sunday Morning Call’, while not terrible, drags to the point of boredom. But, despite the occasionally mediocre lyrics, SOTSOG is a very important record, mainly because it shows even in the worst of times, the band could still deliver a great product.
Standout tracks:
F*ckin’ In The Bushes
Go Let It Out
Who Feels Love?
Gas Panic!
Where Did It All Go Wrong?
Roll It Over
Standout lyrics:
“Do you keep the receipt for the friends that you buy?” - Where Did It All Go Wrong?
“What tongueless ghost of sin crept through my curtains? Sailing on a sea of sweat on a stormy night
I think he don't got a name but I can't be certain And in me he starts to confide” - Gas Panic!
