• Album Review: Oasis Dig Out Your Soul

  

  Written by Zeromage 26 Comments
  Last Updated:: September 26, 2008

  

  Plod rock gains a new meaning

  Oasis’s previous album “Don’t Believe the Truth” was a return to form of sorts for Oasis. Noel Gallagher’s impeccable songwriting was matched with a creativity missed since “Standing on the Shoulder of Giants”, even as this later album had its obvious missteps. With the new lineup firing on all cylinders with “Don’t Believe the Truth”, the Oasis fan was ready for the next album that would take them into a musical peak. We kept hearing about thousand piece orchestras layered over each other and grooves that resembled the best of Madchester circa 1990. The new songs were going to be reminiscent of “Columbia” off of their debut album “Definitely Maybe”. With Dig Out Your Soul, Oasis certainly hit a groove, unfortunately it’s a groove as dry and plodding as a rotting piece of wood. With Dig Out Your Soul, Oasis are on autopilot. This can be good for some bands, but definitely not for Oasis, who publicly and consistently pride themselves on antiquity. What Noel Gallagher fails to realize though, is that the justification for antiquity in music can become an antiquated notion itself. This is the sound of “Dig Out Your Soul”.

  1.Bag it Up

  “Bag it Up”. What a great title. What are we thinking here? Happy Mondays? Stone Roses? Let’s take a listen to the song. It’s here where Dig Out Your Soul starts its plodding ways with a beat that is quite the opposite of a strong groove. Instead, we are given a marching beat and a chord progression reserved for only the most amateur songwriters. Of course, simplicity can be defended here, but for Oasis, simplicity has been defended of them for too long. The vocal melody on this song is just about average. The chorus lacks any sort of sense of contagiousness without the help of an over layered production at the chorus. Strings oddly come in toward the end to try to build suspense within a song without any sense of suspense or ambition. This is the worst opening track Oasis has ever released.

  2.The Turning

  The Turning is clearly the best song on the album. The song starts off with a shuffle unknown to Oasis before this album. The subtle bass line hints at dub culture that Oasis could probably mine better than most bands if they didn’t listen to Paul Weller so much (musically, and as conversational friends). A piano part comes in driving the groove into a solid surreptitious groove that had been lost since “Go Let it Out”. The vocal melody is solid and crashes into a traditional Oasis chorus, but in the best way possible. It’s instantly addicting and smoothly enters back into the flowing verse that is augmented with a clean sounding hammond. This is the Dig Out Your Soul that we were waiting for. Strong chorus’s and grooves on par with “Go Let it Out” and “D’ya Know what I mean”. It’s a shame that Oasis couldn’t make this song the sonic theme for the rest of the album.

  3.Waiting for the Rapture

  Noel’s first sung song on the album continues the plodding ways of Bag it Up, but at least gains a sustainable chorus accentuating the power of Noel’s vocals in falsetto. The amount of cock in this song though slightly takes away the strength of the chorus. The second verse is the same as the first except at 1:06 we get one of the most predictable riffs imaginable replying to Noel’s melody. Is this Noels fault? Gems fault? Weller’s fault? The lyrics are obvious enough, and tries to capitalize on the sexual subtleties of Bolan. Bolan’s sexuality though came from outer space; this songs comes from mud in the ground that has become hardened after a rain storm. There is much more room to maneuver with the strength of this chorus. But it doesn’t happen with the plodding beat and predictable guitar leads.

  4.The Shock of the Lighting

  The first single off Dig Out your Soul is Oasis by the numbers. It’s meat and potatoes Oasis that’s more meat and potatoes than their last meat and potatoes. The verse runs predictably back and forth with Liam singing “come in, come out, come in, come out, tonight”. Truly inspiring. The chorus is above average though, and will certainly become a stadium shout out, which Oasis do better than anyone else. The lyrical content once again shows Oasis intrepidness in antiquated references. If you like Oasis as they always have been, then you will like this song. If you want them to move beyond this into the grooves that Noel sometimes wants to explore, then it’s a disappointment. Oh yeah, Noel’s solo is like the bacon bits from a Ruby Tuesdays Salad bar.

  5. I’m Outta Time

  Liam’s first song on the album before track 6. Was there any doubt what it would sound like? Was there any doubt that “Double Fantasy” was once again about to be melodically mimicked to massive proportions? For his credit, Liam delivers it well. He knows what he loves, which is 5-10 albums made by Lennon. His vocal melody is nice enough, although obviously derivative. His lyrical content is one of the most enclosed for any pop artist in music today. Sentimentality run-a-muck constitutes this song which has an interlude that sounds identical to Harrison’s guitar work on the White Album. There’s no question what this song would sound like, and it did sound exactly like that, and for this reason it will be an obvious single in Great Britain.

  6. Get off Your High Horse Lady

  Noel likes Rocky Raccoon. Noel likes The Beatles in case anyone forgot. This may seem like new territory for the passionate Oasis listener, but after the first couple of listens, one can be certain that boredom will sweep over them after continued listens. It doesn’t change at all. What Noel Gallagher continually fails to realize is that you can enlarge the scope of pop music while still retaining strong song craft. The hand claps are nicely produced though. Kudos to Dave Sardy on that. Queue the plodding drumbeat after the chorus, with some mild backups accompanying it. And the same thing continues, on and on, and on and on…

  7. Falling Down

  One of the stronger moments on Dig Out Your Soul, Falling Down sounded better produced by the Chemical Brothers (the remix is a b-side to Shock of the Lightning). But Noel’s vocal melody is still strong enough to overcome the weak sounding production and messy mix. The drums and bass continue to act below average making you wonder how Andy Bell (bassist) has been able to sustain through the Dig Out Your Soul sessions, knowing that he created some of the most inspiring music in the early 90’s with Ride. You got Noel’s vocal melody to rely on with this song. The music though is messy and average power-rock. Listening to the remix of this song sounds like another missed opportunity at hiring someone different for the production job, which could take Oasis into something truly special.

  8. To Be Where There’s Life

  It’s Gem’s turn to act like a Beatle in his career with Oasis. This time it’s Harrison with the eastern sitar overlaying most of the song. This song tries to create a consistent groove maybe showing a love for early Stone Roses, but ultimately fails. The groove doesn’t flow and doesn’t show sharpness in hip action. This song will quickly be forgotten. There is nothing special about anything about it. Gem Archer has yet to create a special song in his Oasis career.

  9. Ain’t Got Nothing

  Liam’s second song on the album isn’t any better than his first. If Oasis fans thought Force of Nature was bad, wait until they hear this. This song is on par with an 8th grade talent show band, except the 8th graders didn’t have the money to get analog sounding 60’s production on their songs. There’s nothing more to say about this song. It’s dry, stale and instantly forgettable.

  10. The Nature of Reality

  Some good lyrics for Andy’s part. Some of the best he has created actually. But the music speaks otherwise. The Nature of Reality starts off sounding all Helter Skelter-ish, then plods along like the rest of the weakest songs on Dig Your Soul. Everything rhythmically follows each other precisely leaving no room for enlarging the scope of Oasis’s sound. The solo goes off predictably and ends off with traditional feedback and crash cymbal work. The lyrics could have been saved and used elsewhere once Noel got off his own high horse and realized that there is another musical world out there besides the obvious.

  11. Soldier On

  If the listener hasn’t become extremely bored yet with the album, then they will reach that point with Soldier On. The execution of Solider On is almost comical. The vocal delivery is embarrassing for a band who once created some of the most timeless pop music in the 90’s. There is no way this would pass in Oasis’s heyday; not an A-Side, B-side, or even a leaked demo. The rhythm is the same on this song as the others. It’s dull and slowly moving with no power or passion. There is certainly a consistent groove like the rest of the album, which is dull and soporific.

  Stand out Track – The Turning

  Our Rating:

  Click here for an explanation of our rating system.

26 Comments

1. #1 The Mountain says:
   November 20th, 2009 at 3:31 pm

   wow.. A bad oasis review from old-wizard? Really?
2. #2 whocares says:
   November 20th, 2009 at 3:59 pm

   Great album, definitely better than Don’t Believe The Truth.
3. #3 jackthelad says:
   November 20th, 2009 at 4:07 pm

   whover reviewed this is clearly an oasis “basher” with a complete disregard for the music, beatles this weller that! for crying out loud! i’ve heard it all before. i’ve had this album around a week now and it just gets better with every listen. bag it up is a great album opener, probably one of their best and the album as a whole is a step forward from the “dad rock” that was dont believe the truth.
   get a grip and write an unbiased review

   5 stars out of 6
4. #4 gaz says:
   November 20th, 2009 at 4:11 pm

   what aload of bollox!
5. #5 jacob says:
   November 20th, 2009 at 5:07 pm

   I’m a huge Oasis fan, and while this review may be a tad too harsh, its fairly accurate. Oasis’ first two albums (and some of their third) are masterpieces. After that, they essentially became a singles band. DBTT had The Importance of Being Idle. HC had Stop Crying your heart out. What does this album have? Nothing, really. It’s a collection of average songs. It’s not terrible. It’s not great.
6. #6 old-wizard.com says:
   November 20th, 2009 at 5:35 pm

   Jacob…couldn’t agree more. Old-Wizard has been referred to as an “Oasis-Nerd-Mafia” before. If you don’t believe us check out our music lists, where we give TONS of props to Oasis. We love Oasis. But you’re right, this album is average.

   Also, you forgot “Little by Little” on HC. Best song on the album!
7. #7 whocares says:
   November 20th, 2009 at 6:18 pm

   Little By Little is one of the worst songs Noel has ever written. Falling Down is one of his best songs in this century.
8. #8 old-wizard.com says:
   November 20th, 2009 at 6:19 pm

   “one of his best songs in this century”

   so many different ways to attack that statement.
9. #9 old-wizard.com says:
   November 20th, 2009 at 6:22 pm

   DBTT is easily the 3rd best Oasis album.
10. #10 The Mountain says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 6:57 pm

    The review puts Falling Down as one of the better songs on the album
11. #11 RedRedWineNeck82 says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 7:59 pm

    Aright you’ve inspired me to download it and not wait for the release. DBTT is certainly their 3rd best record and whoever likes Little By Little needs a lobotamy.
12. #12 dan says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 12:56 am

    I dont think youve listened to it more than 1nce you gotta listen to it a few times….this is just how the album was gonna sound. i dont like aint got nothing though..that part of the review made me laugh. oasis is easily top 4 band in the world for a loong time…be here now was too long thats the ONLY down side i thought the lyrics were wicked…SOTSOG is classic almost all good songs…put yer money where your mouth is?? this album is reallllllly good. whats up with bands like oasis and chili peppers talking about apocalpyse type themes.. even in Falling Down
13. #13 luca says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 5:44 pm

    Who gives a fuck what this loser says!!!! I’m a oasis finatic and this album is fucking amayzing!!!! Fuck this guy! Oasis is the best and always will be the fucking best! Fuck this wizard!
14. #14 Jay says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 4:43 pm

    Oasis are now the Bon Jovi of UK rock
15. #15 the ocean says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 5:08 am

    The review seems written with an axe to grind. Pre-conceived notions of what the album “should” sound like. Doesn’t seem very fair to me. I’ve listened to Dig Out Your Soul a few times, and at this point I think it is good.. but not amazing. Does seem to be a bit of a grower. The reviewer might benefit from giving it a few more listens, with an open mind. Yes Oasis are getting a bit old and crusty, but they always were a pretty conservative band anyway. It would be unwise to expect a lot of innovation from them at this point.

    There are some really good tracks on Dig Out Your Soul. Bag It Up, The Turning, The Shock Of The Lightning, I’m Outta Time, Falling Down, Soldier On. And as an album as a whole it works quite well. There is a nice flow and sense of continuity to the whole thing. Liam’s vocals should also be commended. He sounds great throughout and it sounds like he’s really put effort into improving his delivery. I also applaud the band for making an album that isn’t completely “safe”… and doing some stuff that is sonically different for them.

    On the downside, I feel like this album could have been better. Listening to some of the remixes of these tracks (from the bonus cd)… one gets a taste of how these songs could have been further explored. The remixes are brilliant. With a different producer, and some more time put into it.. I think several of these songs could have gone into more interesting territory. It seems to me that Oasis are too self-conscious these days. Noel seems hesitant to put proper guitar solos on albums ever since Be Here Now got criticized for such things. By the same token, they seem afraid to let a song go on for too long… something Be Here Now was also slated for. The Turning, (Get Off Your) High Horse Lady, and To Be Where There’s Life are a few examples of songs that I think could have benefitted from further soloing and jamming. The Turning in particular gets locked into such a nice groove at the end that you really wish would go on further… but it seems to fade out all too quickly. I’m Outta Time could have gone on longer as well. The verse melody is just lovely… why doesn’t it repeat at least once? How about adding a full on orchestra? It seems like the band have been afraid of “over-doing” it ever since Be Here Now, and that is a shame. I think it holds them back from having more fun with a record.

    But that being said, I am enjoying this album… and am looking forward to hearing these songs live when Oasis come to town. I just hope that the band move past this self-conscious phase, and get back to making music that sounds massive, epic, and completely fearless. I want to hear them TRULY throw the kitchen sink in next time around. Don’t be afraid to be yourselves guys.

    -as a side note. everyone should check out The Boy With The Blues… a track that’s on the bonus cd of the deluxe version of Dig Out Your Soul. it may be better than anything on the album
16. #16 Tom says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 5:01 pm

    This album is good, but it is disappointing as the lads said they were goin back to form. This has no connection to Definitely Maybe or Morning Glory. It sounds instead like an extension of DBTT. Whatever happened to that classic Noel electric guitar? Solos?

    When was the last time they wrote a song that could fit on one of their first three albums. Ever since Standing on the shoulders, it seems like they’ve tried everything to avoid what Oasis really sounds like.

    I dunno, maybe Noel’s just plain used up his creativity.

    I give this album 6/10, decent, but nothing that I couldn’t live without.
17. #17 the ocean says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 3:28 am

    it’s also worth mentioning that this album is not very strong melodically… especially when one considers oasis’s previous output. this used to be the band that consistently delivered better melodies than anyone else in modern music. now on DOYS there are only a few glimmers of good melody here and there. does “maturing” mean you have to stop writing tunes? noel must be listening to too much arctic monkeys
18. #18 Liams Eyebrow says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 7:33 pm

    I know people at Old Wizard are quite the Oasis fans, as I am as well. In fact, this is an understatement. I cannot disclose all of the things I have done to/for/because of Oasis, but I would classify myself as beyond normally obsessed.
    However, I was also somewhat disappointed with this album. I know other Oasis fans who can never admit that Oasis has produced anything other than greatness, but I have to be honest about this album. After DBTT, we were all expecting an album we’ve been anticipating for nearly a decade. I don’t feel DOYS is typical Oasis, in fact, this album is not what I expected, even when I expected the worst. It’s almost too anti-Oasis to be overly enjoyable. The songs are all of the same sort (I am not saying it is the same song, they all just have the same feeling, same tempo, same something). This album does not tell a story with the ups and downs and different emotions that Oasis is so good at doing (see WTSMG or even BHN). That is what I love about them, and it’s missing here.
    I even have to admit that Noel’s songs are not my favorite. I have to disagree with you and say that “Falling Down” is one of my least favorite songs on this album. I cannot stand the drums-the song goes nowhere.
    My favorite moment is Gem’s “To Be Where There’s Life.” It’s one of the only songs that really comes to life on the whole album.
    I don’t know how this album came to be. Can they produce a DM or WTSMG again? Is it that Noel is still intent on showing he can do more than what is expected, and in turn it backfires every time? As Oasis fans, I’m sure you realize that Noel Gallagher does not have the best insight into his own music! He refuses to play some of the best songs of his career and instead puts “I am the Walrus” on the setlist?!

    Oasis still has it though. They’re still the greatest living band in the world. I will camp out in the front of the line for every single show and be the first one in the gates.
19. #19 Liams Eyebrow says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 7:48 pm

    Oh, and I must commend you on writing the best review of this album I have read and ever will read. I could be madly in love with this album, but I would still think this review was fantastic. It is only a true Oasis fan that can right an unfavorable review and back it up with reason!

    But I do think “I’m Outta Time” is quite a good song on Liam’s part. He should be commended for writing the best song of his career and having the standout song on the album. At least it doesn’t have the same tempo and plodding as its other album mates. It’s a tribute to and about Lennon, what do you expect it to sound like, Pink Floyd?
20. #20 Brad says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 10:02 pm

    I like this album. Wouldn’t say I love it yet, but then again I’ve only listened to it about 3 times all the way through. It got a crappy review in Rolling Stone, but Rolling Stone is a little out of touch since they give Jonas Brothers albums the same number of stars as Jimi Hendrix albums these days. Plus all the liberal journalism is getting a bit nauseating too. How bout some fucking ROCK and ROLL articles?
    Bag it Up is a strong opener, in the tradition of Hindu times from HC, and certainly The Turning is the strongest track. But I disagree with the crotchety wizard’s review of The Shock of the Lightning, it’s just a snappy great sing along tune, which is an Oasis trademark. I would have been disappointed if there hadn’t been one of these on the LP. I mean, what do you want? They recorded the thing in Abbey Road with Ringo’s son doing the majority of the drums. It’s gonna have a Beatle’y vibe and isn’t that what we want? I know I do. What do you have against the lads? Get over it and loosen up a litle.
    I’m Outta time is a great song, Liam really has improved his contributions lately and I like a couple of the others too. Can’t remeber the names because as I said, I’ve only had the album for 2 days so far!
    Ranking the Oasis LP’s:
    1.Morning Glory
    2. Definetly Maybe
    3. Standing on the shoulders
    4. Heathern Chemistry
    5. Be Here Now
    6. Don’t Believe the Truth

    ???? Where does this one fall? somewhere in the middle–an improvement over DBTT but not quite as good as Morning Glory or D Maybe.
    thanks,
    Bradt
21. #21 old-wizard.com says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 10:36 pm

    In NO WAY is this a better album than DBTT. I am shocked to hear that.

    1. Definitely Maybe
    2. Morning Glory
    3. DBTT
    4. Be Here Now
    5. Heathen Chemistry
22. #22 Brad says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 11:47 pm

    Sorry but I got a little bored with DBTT after a few listens. Don’t get me wrong, I liked it and it’s strong in it’s own right. But, this new album seems to be more energetic, with more of a sense of urgency. I would like to hear Noel wail a little more on the guitar, solo wise, because he is an underrated player. But that notwithstanding, this album sounds like the lineup they have now is hitting it’s stride and is very comfortable with each other. I just hear a lot more energy in this album than on DBTT. The review at the top of the page just left me scratching my head. I mean, what gives?
    I am out of place over here in Memphis TN. because I’m the only person i know who has or will have this album.
    But, I went to the mall o Friday and it was playing at the record store which was cool. It sounded super on their sound system in there.
23. #23 maka says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 11:43 pm

    to be honest I find this review like trying to be intentionally bad…

    I don’t agree in most of the points of the songs… specially with to be where there’s life… that song is amazing the best for oasis since 1997…
24. #24 One Eyed Willie says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 4:42 pm

    I loved this album. This review sucked.
25. #25 booga says:
    November 20th, 2009 at 1:21 am

    This review makes several strong points. You can tell the writer is another frustrated Oasis fan that knows their potential, and was hoping for a brilliant follow up to DBTT and was left a bit disappointed by the new album.

    While those fans out there who simply demand for Oasis to RAWK hard and heavy at all costs are jumping for joy over Dig Out Your Soul… those of us who look to Oasis for fantastic songwriting with extraordinary melodies are a bit more disappointed in this album.

    There are some strong moments, but on the whole it is one of Oasis’s weaker albums. Oasis have songs lying around that are MUCH better than Bag It Up, The Nature of Reality, Nothing On Me, High Horse Lady etc.. but yet they release these inferior songs on the album and leave great songs in the bin. Why?

    I just don’t think Oasis were honest with themselves on this record. There is something slightly contrived about the whole thing. Like they are trying to be something they are not. Like they are trying to please the critics who say that they’ve “lost their edge”. Like they want to prove they can still rock hard and compete with the likes of Razorlight, Jet, Kings of Leon and other lame ass bands that are popular now. Frankly it just seems like this album is Oasis trying to be cool..

    In reality Oasis were already cool, just by being themselves and not caring what was popular or trendy at the moment. I hate to say it, but I think there is something of a “sell out” odor to Dig Out Your Soul. It’s like Noel really wants the NME to think his band is cool. And that just isn’t honest music making.

    I really wanted to love this album. I have tried. I don’t dislike it… but it just has not lived up to the hype. The buildup to the album was great… the quotes we heard from Noel, the song titles, the artwork, the chemical bros remix we heard first and then the first single… all good, all exciting. But the most important part, the album itself.. when it finally arrived.. turned out to be somewhat bland and uninspiring. For a songwriter who is known for his melodies, it is hard to believe that Noel would put out an album with such little melodicism. Bag It Up is a perfect example.. it barely even has a tune. This is unfortunate when we know that Noel is still writing songs like Who Put The Weight Of The World On My Shoulders?, I Wanna Live In A Dream (In My Record Machine), and Stop The Clocks.

    The fact that Liam and Noel are no longer even speaking is somewhat telling I think. It seems like the band are kind of on auto-pilot at the moment (like the reviewer himself noted). It’s like they just want to carry on the Oasis legacy, and make more money… and enjoy their status. While what they should be doing is focusing their energies deeply into making the absolute best music possible. Dig Our Your Soul isn’t Oasis giving their best effort… it is Oasis dialing one in from the gazebo by the pool, and cloaking it in a lot of hype. This is a shame really, cos they could do so much better.

    I think it’s time for that long awaited solo album Noel. There is so much more that Noel can do than write stomping loud rock songs for Liam to sing. It’s time for Noel to show the world what he is truly capable of. He is creatively limited within the band context where he has to keep Liam, Gem, and Andy happy. Let Oasis go on holiday for a few years and come back when they are more inspired and when Liam and Noel have matured enough to actually interact with one other as human beings. No more of this half ass shit..

    Bring it on Noel