Within the first few seconds of ‘Mars To Liverpool’, Liam Gallagher does a fitting job of reassuring day-one fans that not much is changing anytime soon. “Jesus Christ, about last night/I can only apologise” sings the Mancunian, detailing a hangover with his typical nasally, snarly tone. Tagging in for company is ex-Stone-Roses guitarist John Squire, who wastes no time in providing the grooves necessary for an anthem. Feel at home yet, Brit-pop fans?
The truth is that what you hear is what you get on the project delivered by the Manchester tag team, and in most parts, it lives up to the legacy already carved by the two legends of the scene. Don’t let the rather blunt title of the album put you off; the Mancunian duo have given more thought to this than the name on the tin would suggest. While it’s largely exactly what you would expect to hear on first listen, there remains a charm throughout the majority of the runtime thanks to the clear dedication the duo put into this passion project.
A portion of fans were left unsure about the outcome of the project after the release of the first single, ‘Just Another Rainbow’, a moody and inviting instrumental that can’t hide Gallagher’s lyrics of counting the colours of the rainbow, coming off like a primary school lesson instead of a rock’n’roll rollicking. While Liam has never been known for his pen work, Squire often saves his blushes by swooping in with bendy riffs to distract the ear. That’s not to say that he never finds his place in this duo, as he easily provides his best vocal performances since the resurgence from the now long-forgotten Beady Eye.
In fact, it would be fair to say that Liam’s vocals haven’t found their way onto instrumentals this gutsy since ‘Be Here Now’, mostly thanks to Squire, whose guitar chops have aged impeccably, proving he was the golden member of the Roses thirty years on from the release of their debut. The obvious influences of Hendrix and Page remain clear in his musicianship, and while he could never string up the guitars of the influences he follows, his lively playing and sheer musical presence will tell you he doesn’t seem to care. On tracks like ‘Love You Forever’, Squire dances around the fretboard like he’s in his twenties again, jamming and head-banging in a dingy basement with Brown, Mani and Wren.
However, there are a couple of misfires, as at times it feels as though those in the studio would have benefited Squire and Gallagher in telling them no. ‘I’m A Wheel’ is littered with bluesy grooves yet remains dreary and a slog, no thanks to lyrics that leave you scratching your head: “There’s blood in my custard/I’m misunderstood”. Meanwhile, ‘Make It Up As You Go Along’ sounds like the duo followed the song title too closely in the creative process. Throughout its ten tracks though, there’s undoubtedly more to gravitate towards than ultimately dislike. ‘One Day At A Time’ opens with Squire choosing the acoustic as his weapon of choice and only rolls into catchier terrain, meanwhile ‘You’re Not The Only One’ starts with a keyboard-inspired jam and ends with one of the album’s best solos.
Gallagher and Squire fit like a glove together — that much was clear even before they got in the studio — which begs the question of why it’s taken them so long to make the album that seems so obvious to produce with hindsight. On the final product, neither make sweeping musical statements or challenge the status quo, but there’s enough nineties nostalgia to please any bucket hat wearer’s desires.
Words by Niall McGreevy