Beady Eye - Different Gear, Still Speeding (2011)

Beady Eye - Different Gear, Still Speeding (2011)

1. Four Letter Word (4:15)
2. Millionaire (3:17)
3. The Roller (3:38)
4. Beatles and Stones (2:57)
5. Wind Up Dream (3:29)
6. Bring the Light (3:40)
7. For Anyone (2:14)
8. Kill For a Dream (4:42)
9. Standing on the Edge of Noise (2:52)
10. Wigwam (6:32)
11. Three Ring Circus (3:18)
12. The Beat Goes On (4:48)
13. The Morning Son (6:08)


Beady Eye is the reincarnation of Oasis, minus Noel Gallagher. After Oasis split in 2009 following Noel's departure of the band to pursue a solo career, remaining members Gem Archer, Andy Bell, Chris Shamrock, and Noel's younger brother Liam Gallagher kept playing music, and that's how Beady Eye came to be.

The members of Beady Eye.

Fans of Oasis should enjoy Different Gear, Still Speeding because, frankly, most of them sound like Oasis songs. The Roller sounds like it was actually a song on an Oasis record, though I can't put my finger on which. However, the album comprises a lot more fast-paced rock than many of Oasis's songs, and it's missing the slower anthems that Noel used to writer so well, as he proved with Wonderwall. But it's an unfair comparison to make.

So for those who were saddened by Oasis's disbandment, just envision Beady Eye as the same band, and pretend that they just out out a decent album. In all seriousness, though, the tracks carry themselves well enough. The first half of the record is mostly straight up rock, with Liam Gallagher's distinguishing vocals leading the way, but the final songs do slow down a little bit, giving it a nice cohesion. All in all, it's a good listen.

Favorite tracks: Again, The Roller stands out. But For Anyone is a very pleasant and smooth sounding pop track that almost sounds Beatlesesque. Kill For a Dream is one of the first songs that slows down, and then the album ends with two ballads The Beat Goes On and The Morning Son, the latter of which is a lengthy epic of a ballad.