In 1990, a 17-year-old Liam Gallagher stood open-mouthed deep amongst the Spike Island crowd watching his heroes the Stone Roses. As John Squire’s fretwork washed over him, a fire is lit within him. 34 years later Gallagher and Squire, two of rock’s biggest names, have combined to deliver an album of life-affirming groove-loaded rock and Britpop stompers, which above all else is great fun.
It has been a stellar start to the year for new releases with Bill Ryder-Jones and The Smiles’s epic latest releases being personal highlights, however, these nineties survivors have produced the party soundtrack.
Liam Gallagher and John Squire is ten tracks recorded in LA and due to be released on 1st March. But make no mistake this is a record that has been borne from two feet rooted in the past, the left foot in the sixties, and the right in the nineties and as influential decades go it’s a great combo. The music and lyrics are composed by Squire but it’s a collaboration of musical influences and tastes devised by swapping tracks over messages before combining in the studio. There are elements of Revolver riffs, Spanish guitar intros, and Hendrix vibe solos mixing with big anthemic choruses.
‘Raise Your Hands’ has a classic Britpop sound that wouldn’t be out of place on Squire’s previous, less talked about band, The Seahorses. A song written with Gallagher’s vocal roar in mind and it showcases it well.
If ‘Mars to Liverpool’ was a garden maze, in every direction you turned Squire would be there with a delicate guitar lick or thunderous riff. The lyrics relate to the previous night’s shenanigans, albeit the after-effects still seem to be taking hold and coming up again, in line with the rousing chorus, a pure joy.
‘I’m A Wheel’ is a bluesy trip with dirty bass, Beatles-esque guitar tones, and a pure blues growl. Surreal lyrics on the verses with Star Wars references wrap around a real earworm of a song that won’t let you go. The soloing is majestic, blissfully elevating the track to a crescendo, before the riff fades out to black.
‘Just Another Rainbow’ colourfully paints images of the Manc legends stomping across barren lands searching for pots of gold and guitar noodles. The backwards guitar loops vibrate with the driving drums. I am not sure if the lyric “we crossed the line” is about the nursery rhyme line that preceded it or as the commencement of the 2:40 minute Squire solo that follows. Make no mistake, the solo is what the Roses fans came for, and it was worth the wait. The real art form for epic guitar leads is the ability to restrain the notes, let the gaps between breath life, and Squire is the master at it.
It’s not very often, indeed this might be the first time, that Gallagher’s vocals are relegated to a supporting role, but the undeniable star of ‘Love You Forever’ is Squire’s virtuoso fretwork. Referencing Clapton-era Cream the tone is lush, rich and deep to produce a driving track. ‘Make It Up As You Go Along’ is a rare combination of a light happy melody with snarling lyrics, seemingly about a former lover. The looping chorus melody is anchored with a delightful hook.
Even the recent train strikes are covered on ‘I’m So Bored’ which spiritually felt like a long-distance relative of the Beatles ‘I’m Only Sleeping’. Further documentation, if needed, that rock stars have the toughest life, eh?
Gallagher’s delivery lulls you in at times before surprising you with the venom of the lyrics. His growl is well-defined, and he has long been in a rich vein of vocal performances the album’s producer Greg Kurtin is well-versed in pulling the best out of him. Special mention is needed for the rhythm section of Joey Waronker on drums and Little Barrie on bass who provide a solid and tight platform from which the stars shine.
Not all the artistic decisions have been successful. The self-titled album title Liam Gallagher & John Squire isn’t either catchy or smart but does detail exactly what to expect, no less! The artwork also leaves a lot to be desired, particularly from an artist of Squires standard. It has a GCSE clipart feel, which is not indicative of the PhD level of tracks contained within.
The gigs to promote the album will be special, maybe not quite the culture-defining highs that the Roses and Oasis produced at their peak, but they have the potential, and possess the soundtrack, to make a huge mark. The recently announced tour sold out in 30 seconds, which is astonishing. The demand is a credit to the high esteem the Gallagher and Squire have been held in for many moons, whilst at the same a sad indictment on the lack of Rock’n’Roll’s future flag bearers to take the crown.
There have been some outstanding highs in Gallagher’s solo career coupled with some amazing and epic tracks, however, this feels like the complete authentic rock album that he has been aspiring to. It might not be to everyone’s taste, but it’s certainly what Liam was waiting for. For John, a return to the limelight that his songwriting and guitar work so richly deserves. This feels like the start for the Manchester super band, and the challenge will be to produce several albums to the same high standard that they have achieved with their debut offering. Squire had a guest slot on stage at Knebworth when Gallagher played in the summer of 2022, I bet next time they grace a stage of a similar scale they will be there sharing the bill.
Words by Dave Holgado
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