Review: Liam Gallagher's 'As You Were' is a solid start to his solo career

— -- Liam Gallagher’s “As You Were” (Deluxe Edition)
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“As You Were” is the first solo album from Oasis’ Liam Gallagher and his first release since his follow-up project Beady Eye dissolved.

You have to love the title, “As You Were,” combined with the cover photo of Gallagher glaring out at his audience with notable disdain. He’s been a master at trolling the press and the public, and this album, with its classic rock edges and purposeful, attention-grabbing reference-drops, works just the same way.

Calling a single “For What It’s Worth,” without really nodding to the iconic Buffalo Springfield song of the same name is bold. On the beautiful “When I’m in Need,” Gallagher sings the lines, “She’s so Purple Haze / You know what I mean.” On the equally ethereal “Chinatown,” he cites the Beatles by singing, “Happiness is still a warm gun,” while on “You Better Run,” he manages to reference both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones by rhyming the words “Gimme Shelter” with “Helter Skelter.” The references spread throughout are a shrewd and clever move. Momentarily evoking the past allows Gallagher to nudge himself into an elite group by association.

Yes, the Beatles stand as an ever-constant shadow, even if there’s a hint of muted T-Rex influence in “Greedy Soul.” He can deliver a thunderous strike with “I Get By,” which is actually a bit of a hard-edged waltz at points. “Wall of Glass” is almost asking for an audience to stomp and sing along. At the same time, when the chorus hits, it combines Gallagher’s signature combination of sneering rock attitude and tunefulness.

The three bonus tracks included on the deluxe edition continue the flow of the set and don’t seem like clumsy additions. Gallagher’s quick falsetto bend in “Doesn’t Have to Be That Way” is impressive, while closer “I Never Wanna Be Like You” is a beautiful ballad that would have been a standout on an Oasis record even if it does get playfully nonsensical.

“As You Were” sets Gallagher’s solo career off on the right foot.

Focus Tracks:

“Paper Crown” One of the most beautiful songs Gallagher has ever been a part of making. This is extremely Beatle-y with its harmonies and yet it has a slightly crunchy, rumbling undercurrent. This is a classic single waiting to happen.

“Universal Gleam” A hand-clapping, camp-fire prayer of sorts, this is the kind of song that doesn’t make you question Gallagher when he begins with the line, “Here comes my epiphany.”

“When I’m in Need” This album has a defiant charge when it rocks, but there’s something that is looking firmly inward when Gallagher approaches this collection’s ballads. Even the love songs sound like requests for spiritual redemption.