Oasis delivered its farewell disc in 2008, showcasing a band that had finally grown up. Dig Out Your Soul continues the classicist feel of the band’s 2005 release Don’t Believe The Truth and completely shies away of the overproduction and subpar songwriting of everything since Morning Glory.
And it is Oasis’ best album since that 1995 classic.
Gone is much of the swagger, partying, and working class hero feel of the band’s first two discs. Remaining is the melancholy, Beatles worship and strong songwriting that characterize the best Oasis music. The Gallaghers are older now and their lyrics and music reflect that; the snottiness and excess have been tempered (but not excised, thank God), replaced by a journeyman maturity, a sort of rock wisdom.
“The Shock Of The Lightning” is a completely efficient, colorful single, where the swirling guitars set the mood instead of artificial overproduction. The archaic stomps of “Waiting For The Rapture” and “(Get Off Your) High Horse Lady” are highlights with little equal in the Oasis catalog. The latter has a John Lennon feel that is good to hear in 2008.
The Beatles influence pops up even more in the superb “I’m Outta Time,” opening with gentle guitar picking and wordless vocals before giving into White Album-esque verses that draw the listener in. “Falling Down” is another great song, with Andy Bell’s insistent drum fills providing an anchor for the hazy guitar and some of Liam’s best vocal work. “The Turning” is yet another highlight, less upfront than its fellow songs but no less worthy.
Some of the songs are standard Oasis fare, such as “Bag It Up,” “Soldier On,” and “The Nature of Reality,” but it is some of the strongest standard Oasis fare ever put to record…and besides, standard Oasis is one of modern rock’s great pleasures. “The Nature Of Reality,” in particular, was written by Andy Bell but sounds like a Gallagher song, such is the mood and attitude.
On the ensuing tour for this disc, the Gallaghers got into it yet again and broke up, this time for good. Liam and the rhythm section went on to form Beady Eye, while Noel retired for a couple of years before returning with High Flying Birds.
This is their final gift to the world with the Oasis name, and it is one heck of a way to say goodbye. It’s a shame, too, because one wishes the band had tempered its worst influences long before now to make music this good post-Morning Glory.