Here is the track-by-track review of the third album:

Fort Knox:

 Noel has gone on record saying that this track was written for Kanye West, but he thought it was so good that he felt he deserved it more than Kanye. Anyway, the track has repeated lyrics and guitar chords, albeit when he starts repeating, “You’ve Gotta Get Yourself Together”. This track would be good as an introduction to the forthcoming concerts or great as an alarm clock (Although I doubt you would wake up to such smooth music.) I like the album after just one track and am pleased that David Holmes has sent Noel far out compared to the trademark Oasis-style wall of sound. Will Oasis fans who are narrow-minded like this? Probably not, but they’re fucking idiots, anyway. More on that in the overall review.

Holy Mountain: 

So, just like what was featured on “Riverman” from the sophomore record, “Chasing Yesterday” from 2015 (Yes, I said, “Sophomore”,. So fucking what? I’m writing this, not you.) We hear a horn section featuring. This is also the lead single used to promote the record. It’s a bit of bubble gum pop but is exceptionally catchy. You will get the chorus stuck into your head.

Keep on Reaching: 

David took Noel out of his comfort zone with this track with some soulful vocals followed by an instrumental section that could only be described as funk inspired. The beginning also features some excellent keyboards and a ballsy kick drum.

It’s a Beautiful World:

 It’s incredible what effects you can use in the studio. Because of the way sound effects are used to make his voice sound muffled, complete with reverb (Is that the word I’m looking for?), I am still waiting to hear this on the live version, in the warm-up concerts or on Later…with Jools Holland last month. Nonetheless, it still worked live. This track could be described as both cosmic pop and psychedelic. You have a breakdown section before the solo where the touring member, Charlotte, speaks in French (Noel had said that it was too late to change the spoken word when Charlotte informed him that she mentions the end of the world. Noel did not like that and would have preferred “It is not the end of the world” to tie in with the feel-good vibes of the record. Also, more on that later.) It is also worth noting she plays the scissors on this track (Yes, that’s correct. The scissors. Fucking mental!).

She Taught Me How to Fly: 

This track is a weird one for me. Although it isn’t my favourite, it certainly is one of my favourites. I love the lyrical content, and I fucking love playing it on the guitar. This ode to his wife, Sara, has a sound that is very close to New Order. Some may disagree, but this track could easily have been made for New Order. It has a bass style similar to that of New Order’s former bassist, Peter Hook. Noel has headed back to the Madchester days with this.

Be Careful What You Wish for: 

This track was written as a message to his three children on what to heed and learn from life as they grow older and more aware of the world. Again, this track is far out for Noel, and it is a continuous melody throughout, albeit with a slight change in the chorus. This is probably the most anti-anthem song he has done since “(Get Off Your)High Horse Lady” with Oasis on their final album from 2008, “Dig Out Yer Soul”. I have heard this song live, which is indeed a song that cools down the audience. I think he will only play this live for the children. The message conveyed is the preaching you would hear in Speakers’ Corner. If I recall correctly, he said this song was born after he walked through Speakers’ Corner in the summer of 2017.

Black & White Sunshine: 

This is my favourite off the record, but that changes every day. Albeit, this track remains at the forefront of my heart and mind. I love the message conveyed and the upbeat feel of the track. The vocals delivered with a punch the air passion. This is Noel’s “Fuck you” track for all those who want to bring evil to the world. Is this as close to the Oasis wall of sound on the album so far? Not for me. It is still a track that Noel would only sometimes do, although in some reviews I have read, they believe that to be the case. No matter what you might think, this track leaves me feeling optimistic and cheerful.

Interlude (Wednesday Part 1): 

Why, oh why, do artists/bands have these? Oasis was very guilty of having interludes, but they are nothing more but throwaway tracks chucked onto a record because, who the fuck knows? Utterly pointless. Just throw on a track that didn’t quite make the cut. At least, it will be a completed song. Noel has said that the interludes featured on the record are, indeed, songs that are uncompleted, that he may revisit at a later date. The song features acoustic guitar, drums and bass before being accompanied by synthesisers. Nothing much else to say.

If Love is the Law: 

The first track to feature another artist on the record in the shape of Noel’s good friend, Johnny Marr, who plays guitar and harmonica. This track has a Smiths sample (I think Johnny is playing “Hand in Glove” on the harmonica, I’m not entirely sure, but it’s definitely from a Smiths track.), so how appropriate Johnny features?

It is worth noting that Noel’s estranged younger brother, Liam co-wrote a song with a similar title with Chris Helme of the Seashorses (It went on to be a hit in 1997 and is one of the songs synonymous with the band.).

the Man Who Built the Moon: 

Wow. This is the title track, albeit the name is slightly changed. I love this track; it is majestic and features haunting keyboards, complete with lyrics that appear to be less of a song and more of Noel narrating a fable. This is very much a departure from Oasis, as I think the song could be used for a Science-Fiction film like Star Trek or some insane film about space by Steven Spielberg. The chorus is littered with horns, which adds to that whole feel about it.

End Credits (Wednesday Part 2): 

Ah, dear. Here we go again. Although it is an improvement from the first part, interludes do not belong on an album. The keyboards are very angelic, though. This is the end of the standard album, but I am reviewing the Deluxe edition, complete with the Japanese bonus track.

Dead in the Water: 

Well, those who yearn for Oasis will love this. This track was recorded off the cuff on air at Rté 2FM Studios in 2015 during an interview and short performance during the “Chasing Yesterday” tour. Is it wholly improvised, as Noel says at the end of the track as the presenter asks him? Well, I don’t believe him. It was far too polished to have been made up there and then, especially when you hear the keyboard solo by Mike Rowe. There’s no way Mike could have done that without getting a feel for the track. This song talks about Noel looking to hold onto a love that seems hard to recover. The standout line, apart from the whole chorus, is where he talks about having no money while looking at a photograph. Now, who can this be about? Because he had plenty of money when he met Sara. Is this Noel reaching out to someone in the past? Was it written for Louise in his Oasis days, and has it been given new life? Whoever it is about, it is very powerful lyrically and reminds me of the sort of song by the Smiths that would have inspired him to write this. This is classic Noel, though. Singing with a tint of melancholy in his voice and laying his soul bare.

God Help us All: 

This track features as the Japanese bonus track and was first discovered in 2007 from a studio session for, I don’t even know. It might have been “Dig Out Yer Soul”. This track was also played in a soundcheck during the ill-fated 2008/09 Tour for “Dig Out Yer Soul” during Noel’s last few years in Oasis. This song has kept much of those two versions, as you get the impression it was recorded in an empty theatre and sounded like a demo. There are rumours it was re-recorded during the “Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds” studio sessions in 2010 and 2011 but wasn’t pursued to feature on the final track listing for the 2011 debut album. I forgot to mention that it also re-emerged on the “High Flying Birds” Tour of 2011/12 with a new verse featured on this recording. Anyway, he plays acoustic guitar while singing about what appears to be Armageddon.

Overall: 

It is no secret that it was, indeed, Noel who inspired me to write and pick up a guitar and several other instruments back in the mid-1990s. I also make no secret while everyone else preferred Liam at school, I aspired to be Noel and have been a fan of his from my very first listen to Oasis. Once again, Noel has proved why he is a tremendous songwriter. Even taking him out of his comfort zone while working mainly in David Holmes’ home studio, Noel has made it work. David got Noel listening to some rather obscure music and even got him to play instruments Noel tends to struggle with and would only dare play live once he has played them enough to feel comfortable with. Noel was originally very disheartened and didn’t believe working with David was the right decision. David would tell him time and time again to stop writing songs that sounded like Oasis. Indeed, for “the Man Who Built the Moon”, David got him to write out 26 choruses before he was satisfied with Noel’s 27th attempt. So..back to earlier, the Oasis fans, whom I have referred to as “fucking idiots”, are mainly what I like to call the “Supersonic 2016 Generation”. They appeared after the 2016 film and could not get past how Noel’s singles for this were totally different from Oasis material and therefore proceeded to bash it and generally be narrow-minded. An artist is free to express their music however they want. Something lost on these bunch of twats. Also, going back to another point earlier mentioned during “It’s a Beautiful World”, Noel has made a record that is very much upbeat and spits in the face of the evil people in the world who want to destroy the earth. He has even said that this record was about feeling great and upbeat and taking our minds off all the bad things we hear about in the mainstream media. I would love to score this album perfectly, but the interludes are where it falls down for me. It is also perfect, and even if you don’t get it after a few listens, it will grow on you. 9/10