News

14 Oct 2011

NOEL GALLAGHER'S HIGH FLYING BIRDS - FAN REVIEWS

A big thank you to everyone who entered our recent competition to win tickets to attend the exclusive playback of the debut album by Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. The listening session took place in London and Manchester last Saturday and those who were able to attend were invited to review the album. Unfortunately we are unable to print all of them but here is a selection:


"This album should further cement Noel Gallagher’s position (as if it needs it) as one of Britain’s pre-eminent songwriters."
- Andrew Loveday


"Much like Chris Nolan’s reinvigoration of the Batman series, Noel has donned his cape and relaunched himself, yet retained the key elements of greatness that has given him idol status amongst millions exemplified in Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds’ debut offering. It is a superb piece of work. Time will tell if it goes down as a classic, but it has all the hallmarks of one."
- VD


"Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds is a record that is full of hope and quietly placed optimism; it’s a fresh and reinvigorated Noel Gallagher that greets us here, a man who’s now on his own and presenting us with access to greatness once more.

"Noel, it’s good to have you back."

- Matt Churchill


"For me the album was an emotional, inspirational, thought-provoking and epic journey. Definitely the album we've been waiting for since Noel recorded Talk Tonight."
- Lee Brand


"Throughout the album, I somehow felt the feeling of freedom. His songs always make me feel free, and nothing really matters in our everyday life... What more can you expect from music? Music makes you feel good, and that is all that you need, after all. I am very grateful that Noel finally released his solo works... and it’s well worth the wait! I am going to listen to this album again and again, as many people will do."
- Chinami


"You may be forgiven for initially feeling a little underwhelmed with just 10 tracks from probably the most hotly anticipated album in recent years, but it’s the quality, not quantity of the songs that makes this album a masterpiece.

"There is always something in his songs the audience can relate to and that is why this album should be at the forefront of anyone’s music collection."

- Dave Saunders


"In a recent interview Noel had said he had chosen album opener 'Everybody's On The Run' because the majority of artists save their 'epic' song until the end of a record. Nowadays, the word epic is used excessively but this time it's more than appropriate as this was my personal highlight of the record. Noel's vocal performances throughout the album are perfectly melodic, from the acoustic verses of 'If I Had A Gun' to the catchy chorus of 'AKA...What A Life!'. The final song 'Stop The Clocks' is fittingly placed at the end of the album as fans have been waiting 3 years to hear the song since its leak around the release of 'Don't Believe The Truth'. It is by far the softest sounding song on the album and slowly brings you down from the dizzy heights of the previous 9 songs."
- Tom Sargent


"The album starts with the upbeat 'Everybody’s On The Run', which utilises a 24 piece string section and 100 piece choir. It’s a great opener to the album, setting the benchmark of things to come. Next is 'Dream On', one of the standout songs on the album. This track is incredibly catchy with great melodies. 'If I Had a Gun...' is a dramatic ‘anthem-like’ performance due to its sing-along chorus; sure to be a real crowd pleaser! 'The Death of You and Me' has an obvious Beatles influence; as with many of Noel’s songs. Then from the excellent long-awaited '(I Wanna Live In A Dream in My) Record Machine', to 'AKA... What A Life!' a real chirpy dance track with a feel good factor. 'Soldier Boys And Jesus Freaks', is an uplifting song with a jazzy feel and brass throughout. 'AKA… Broken Arrow' is slow-paced, yet at the same time has an exciting quality about it. Moving on to '(Stranded On) The Wrong Beach' which takes a different turn, starting with a riff before Noel’s vocals kick in, followed by a fantastic guitar solo in the middle. 'Stop The Clocks' has been worth the wait, from the bootlegs that have been on the Internet to this final product with a sensational ending... a brilliant finale! This album exceeds all expectations and does not disappoint; instead it leaves you wanting more!"
- Christopher Reay


"The album I've eagerly anticipated for years, is everything I expected and then some. From the first track 'Everybody's On The Run' to the last 'Stop The Clocks' you realize what a well-produced, well-written, well-performed album you are listening to and can't help but smile at the thought that it will get better with every listen."
- Matthew Partington


"As an 18 year old girl from Portugal and a massive Noel Gallagher fan I was stupidly excited about listening to the album before everyone else. I was obviously expecting a great album, especially having heard the singles, but what it came up to in the end absolutely blew me away and exceeded all my expectations.

"So basically what I have to say is thank you Noel Gallagher. AKA... WHAT AN ALBUM!"

- Rita Faria


"If this is what Noel has produced in his first solo effort, the future looks very bright indeed. The greatest songwriter of our generation has returned, and it's bloody good to have him back."
- Adam Bulleid


Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds' album is out on Monday! Pre-order it now:

Official Store
iTunes
Amazon