Album Review: Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - Who Built The Moon

First, let's embrace some Noel Gallagher facts.

Earlier this year, the Mancunian maestro's odometer ticked over to 50. Ornithologists also noted former Oasis bandmates and Beady Eye members Gem Archer and Chris Sharrock are now High Flying Birds. As is a scissor player. And once upon a time Gallagher was a collaborator with The Chemical Brothers in the late '90s.

What does any of this have to do with Who Built The Moon? Hopefully, it helps it makes sense.

Opener Fort Knox hits like an outtake from one of those 20-year-old Chemical Brothers sessions while Holy Mountain almost sounds like Gallagher is covering William Hung covering She Bangs. She Taught Me How To Fly features the aforementioned shears.

It's some odd stuff. But the yin to their yang is Black & White Sunshine, one of Gallagher's strongest post-Oasis songs, while If Love Is The Law proves he maintains a knack for catchy writing.

However, if it's an Oasis reunion you're chasing, you'd best pick up brother Liam's first solo album. Instead, this is someone who has moved on and doesn't care what direction he's facing. It's messy, challenging, banal at times and inspired at others - particularly bonus track, Dead In The Water. For what it's worth, it's his boldest work yet. Just not his best.