Don't Believe the Truth

Recording information: Capitol studios, Los Angeles, CA; Metropolis Studios, England; Olympic Studios, London, England; Strangeways Studios, London, England; Wheeler End Studios, England.
Photographer: Lawrence Watson.
Oasis's sixth studio album, DON'T BELIEVE THE TRUTH, finds the Gallagher brothers back on solid sonic ground. After 2002's HEATHEN CHEMISTRY, the quintessential Britpop band began working with electronica act Death in Vegas, but the pairing proved uneasy, and Oasis opted for a return to its signature sound. Here the group's '60s-inspired sound is exemplified by the record's first single, "Lyla," which sets the tone, as both frontman Liam Gallagher and songwriter/guitarist Noel Gallagher lend vocals to the chiming, surging Beatlesque track. (The band's Beatles fixation hits a new level here with Ringo Starr's son, Zak Starkey, drumming on a number of songs.) Other highlights of DON'T BELIEVE THE TRUTH include the stomping opener, "Turn Up the Sun," and the urgent, brooding "Part of the Queue." (Noel's vocal turn on the latter is particularly impressive, and gives his troublemaking younger sibling a run for his money.) Although it's tough to top the one-two punch of Oasis's initial pair of albums, this record proves that the lads can still turn out potent, swaggering, and energetic rock.