Oasis’ “Dig Out Your Soul” won’t be in stores until Tuesday, but if you want a preview listen, head to http://www.myspace.com/oasis, where the band has posted the entire album.
This is my first experience with the new MySpace player, which the company debuted about a week ago (when I was busy being tortured by little children at Disney World).
The player’s design is certainly sleeker than the old model, but I’m already irritated by one feature. Maybe it’s my own blindness, but when listening to the Oasis album, it took me about halfway through the list of songs to realize which one I was listening to.
Nothing is highlighted, and the song’s names don’t appear near the “play” bar, but you CAN tell which is playing if you squint and notice the teeny speaker icon next to the song’s name.
Annoyance number two: after four songs, the music stopped and a box (featuring a pic of the Jonas Brothers!) popped up, asking if I was still listening. Well, I was, Mr. MySpace, until you made me stop what I was doing, go back to the MySpace page, click “yes I’m still listening” and then hit the play button again.
Anyway, this seventh album from the band should appease those who thought the boys lost their magic after “Standing on the Shoulder of Giants.”
The guitars are giant and crunchy – first single “The Shock of Lightning” is tailor made for arena singalongs, while the ballad “I’m Outta Time,” with subtle strings in the background, is the prettiest song the band has written since “Don’t Go Away.”
Of course, the Beatles influences are still blatant. “Get Off Your High Horse Lady” utilizes a nasally, sung-through-a-megaphone vocal effect that wouldn’t have been out of place on “Sgt. Pepper,” and “Soldier On” employs a marching beat reminiscent of “Come Together.”
Good stuff that should sound even better live.
Oasis plays the Patriot Center Dec. 20. Tickets are on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, but a pre-sale starts Thursday at 10 a.m. (password: wonderwall). There’s an 8-ticket limit.
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