Rocktrospectiva: The Well-Received "Why Me?, Why Not" Turns 5

 

Released on 20 September 2019, "Why Me? Why Not" was the second solo studio album by English musician Liam Gallagher, a well-received album by critics and fans, debuted at No. 1 on the UK albums charts, the album spawned six singles "Shockwave" considered one of Gallagher's biggest solo hits, "The River", "Once", "One Of Us", ""Now That I've Found You", & "Gone". 

 

Liam had made a successful comeback following the break-up of his post-Oasis band Beady Eye with his debut solo album, As You Were back in 2017, The album entered the British charts at No. 1, outselling the entire top 10 combined and achieving gold certification in its first week, while also selling more copies than both Beady Eye albums combined, receiving a positive reaction from critics and audiences. 

 

So, Gallagher revealed that he had begun work on his second album in April 2018, confirming that he would again be working with producer Greg Kurstin as well as Andrew Wyatt, both of whom were involved with his first album. The Recording began in April 2018 in Los Angeles and continued sporadically through to 2 April 2019, some recording was done at Abbey Road Studios in London. The album features his 18-year-old son Gene playing bongos on the track "One of Us". Unlike his first album, all the tracks are co-written by Gallagher. The name of the album comes from teo drawings by John Lennon, the first titled "Why Me?", and the second titled "Why Not".

 

The first single was "Shockwave" followed by "The River", then "Once" this song gained acclaim from fans, and even Gallagher himseld praised the song as one the best he has ever been involved with, during the acoustic set for MTV Unplugged in Hull City Hall, Gallagher debuted new songs "one Of Us", "Now That I've Found You", "Gone" and "Why Me?, Why Not". 

 

So the album explodes into action with the strutting, tough, gritty glam of lead single "Shockwave" delivering an opening knockout punch, then we have the shimmering introspection of "One Of Us" grows from a heartfelt groove into a huge gospel flavoured outro, there is a sense that Liam's music offers hope for Oasis fans, as well as his voice sounds in magnificent shape here. The big Lennon-influenced ballad "Once" is a nostalgic tearjerker that provides a bona fide lighters-in-the-air singalong, while "Now That I’ve Found You" offers an enjoyable helping of joyous, carefree Britpop, and an irresistible chorus, coming across like a hybrid of ‘Help!’-era Beatles and The Stone Roses.

 

"Halo" is reminiscent of an amped-up Beady Eye, pumping up the pace with its rampant ‘Lady Madonna’ piano. Hugely invigorating, it recaptures the vibe of Oasis at their best. Then there’s the stunning epic title of a title track. The sort of thing fans like myself patiently waited years for his old band to produce. Its mammoth strings and soaring melody make for something genuinely anthemic. "Be Still" switches to sturdy driving rock, powered by a Roses-like vibe. Its brilliance seems effortless, sounding like the work of someone who is genuinely on a roll.

 

With "Alright Now" you can noticed certain George Harrison influence with the guitar solo, matching up wonderfully with powerful, reflective verses and lyrics that listeners will once again associate with the estranged relationship between music’s most famous siblings, with "Meadow" there is a floating psychedelic melancholia and mesmeric chords showcase a more subtle side to the record. Again it’s highly reminiscent of Harrison, with touches of ‘Dark Side Of The Moon’ period Floyd thrown into the mixture. In contrast, the thumping glam blues of "The River" finds Gallagher in defiant mood, spitting out unmistakable attitude, sounding every inch the tough, the mighty closer Gone sweeps into a glorious R.E.M-style waltz, delivering a striking finale. 

 

The album received positive reviews mainly, no doubt about it, no complains about the lyrics and the lack of originality, but for what it is and based on its own merits, this is top class indie rock n roll. And in many ways, it’s Liam personified as a triumph abd resurrection 

 

Why Me?, Why Not Track List: 

 

1.Shockwave

2. One Of Us

3. Once

4. Now That I've Found You

5. Hali

6. Why Me? Why Not

7. Be Still

8. Alright Now

9. Meadow

10. The River

11. Gone