Expectations for a Liam Gallagher and John Squire collab have been, as you can imagine, very high, and it’s a delight to inform that the duo’s epic self-titled debut LP doesn’t disappoint one jot.
Normally (although, of course, not always), great artists will produce great work when putting their minds together. With Liam Gallagher John Squire, this rings true. There was never any doubt that combining the electrifying guitar talents of The Stone Roses’ creative tour de force, Squire, with the powerhouse vocals and indomitable attitude of Gallagher would not create anything short of musical alchemy.
A true meeting of minds, this record goes way beyond indie ‘Madchester rock’, encompassing psychedelic rock, blues, and straight-up rock ’n’ roll. Taking inspiration from two of music’s most flourishing decades, the 60s and 90s, each of the album’s ten tracks are a perfect showcase of these songwriters.
The lead single, the psychedelic ‘Just Another Rainbow’ only helped amp up the hype with Squire serving up a swirling Beatles-esque guitar and bass riff that compliments Gallagher’s captivating delivery. It’s a song that allows John to let loose with a spectacular extended solo.
The Beatles-esque guitar tones make a reappearance on the bluesy ‘I’m A Wheel’ which includes a cheeky reference to Star Wars, through the famous Obi-Wan Kenobi line “These aren’t the droids you are looking for”. The song intoxicates, with Squire’s blistering guitar playing fusing with hypnotic drums and a driving, dirty bass line. It’s all reminiscent of The Dirty Mac’s cover of The Beatles ‘Yer Blues’ which saw musical heavyweights John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Mitch Mitchell, and Keith Richards perform an explosive version of the Beatles track from the White Album.
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The duo take influences from The Clash on the punk-infused ‘I’m So Bored’ and Cream and Jimi Hendrix on the ‘Love You Forever’ which sees John Squire serving up some seriously heady licks that wouldn’t be out of place on Electric Ladyland. The latter is one of the album’s highlights and comes in like a juggernaut.
The record’s second single ‘Mars To Liverpool’ is a towering track that exemplifies why this partnership between Liam and John works so well. It immediately draws you in with the opening line, “Jesus Christ, about last night, I can only apologise”.
Despite being infinitely upbeat, ‘Mars’ allows Liam to go full throttle and deliver every ounce of conviction and passion that the former Oasis frontman is synonymous with. Liam Gallagher John Squire is a kaleidoscope of songs that draws upon the pair’s musical brilliance and serves as a prime example of their lasting friendship.
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