Photo Credit: Tom Oldham
When John Squire joined Liam Gallagher on stage, during his well documented 2022 sold-out run of shows at Knebworth, little did he realise that it would be the start of an album collaboration. Released through Warner Music earlier this month, the record was produced by Greg Kurstin, who also played bass on the record and previously worked with Gallagher when he produced one of the Beady Eye albums. Drum duties were carried out by Joey Waronker, previously the drummer for R.E.M., Beck and Atoms For Peace. It should be stated at this point that every track on the album was written by Squire, a very impressive return for the ten track album.
The opening track of Liam Gallagher John Squire, Raise Your Hands, wouldn’t sound out of place on a Gallagher solo album, but with the addition of Squire’s superb guitar work towards the end of the song. The Manchester duo had promised a combination of the best bits of Oasis alongside the best bits of The Stone Roses, and it certainly delivers on that front, with an album full of nods to musical heroes of the past including The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. The blues influence is written all over next track Mars To Liverpool, one of the songs released before the album, with some good riffs from Squire and Gallagher’s opening lines “Jesus Christ about last night, I can only apologise/The thought that it was over never entered my mind.” There is a catchy keyboard backdrop, making it one of the standouts on the album.
One Day At A Time has a laid back 60s feel, while I’m A Wheel allows Squire to express himself with his Stratocaster, creating some mind-blowing melodies, but still allowing Gallagher the space to do the same with his vocals. Just Another Rainbow was the first track to be released from the album, and it was well received by their army of fans – this must surely be one of the summer anthems of 2024. Jimmi Hendrix could be the inspiration for Love You Forever, as Squire once again shows his abilities on the fret board and takes you on a journey back in time with some slow melodies. Producer Kurstin takes on piano duties for You’re Not The Only One and it shines through well beside Squire’s guitars and Gallagher’s vocals, which are the best on the album. The record ends with Mother Nature’s Song and the vocals here are much softer than the previous tracks, allowing Gallagher to express his emotions deeply while Squire moves on to the acoustic guitar for some laid-back melodies.
Liam Gallagher John Squire takes you back to the Britpop days of the 1990s and beyond. We hope that the duo decide to work together on another album in the near future. In the meantime, they are playing nine sold-out dates in March & April, with support coming from Jake Bugg and Squire’s son Dillion Squire on some of the dates. Joey Waronker will be joining them on tour playing drums, while bass player Barrie Cadogan, who has previously toured with Paul Weller, will also join them.
9/10
Standout Tracks: Mars To Liverpool, Just Another Rainbow, You’re Not The Only One
For Fans Of: The Verve, The Charlatans, The Stone Roses
Written by: Alan Brown
