Mars to Liverpool: Formulaic but Nostalgic
By Anthony Heron
Liam Gallagher performing at Knebworth in 1996
The idea of a collaboration album between The Stone Roses’ guitarist John Squire and Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher has been something coveted by fans of Britpop since their first performance together at Knebworth in 1996. Finally, this idea comes to fruition, as their self-titled album “Liam Gallagher John Squire” is set to release in March of this year. Their first single “Just Another Rainbow” released to a mixed reception, but did their second “From Mars to Liverpool” hit the mark?
The first thing you’ll notice in this single is the riff. Squire brings that same flavour that he brought to both Stone Roses albums, giving the track an upbeat and optimistic feel. It’s reminiscent of “Second Coming” era Stone Roses and elevates the song above the level of your typical Liam Gallagher solo single, which are largely formulaic and uninspired.
As expected, Gallagher’s contribution to the song is his signature vocal style, snarling the lyrics out for four minutes. After years of abuse, his voice isn’t what it used to be, and has obviously been digitally enhanced. Nevertheless, it makes for an enjoyable listen, his melodies pair well with Squire’s guitar and his aggressive performance provide a good contrast to the fairly buoyant instrumental.
One of the biggest criticisms of their first single, “Just Another Rainbow”, was that the lyrics left a lot to be desired. The bridge in the middle where Liam lists the colours of the rainbow was probably the best example of this. This issue has been improved upon here, but it’s still present. The first verse leads the listener to believe that the song is about a couple, and the fallout from their heated argument the night before. This would make for a nice change of subject matter for both
Gallagher and Squire, whose lyrics are usually very cryptic, neither of them have a reputation for their storytelling. These hopes are quickly squashed as the verse ends. The song reverts to the vague lyrics of psychedelic and euphoric feelings that both men are known for. It’s nothing we haven’t heard before, although it’s hard to blame either of them. These kinds of lyrics have worked for them since the 1990s, why change the formula now? Especially if they’re trying to achieve a nostalgic feel.
In short, while being better than their first single, “From Mars to Liverpool” isn’t anything ground-breaking. Both musicians leave any sense of ambition at the door, instead opting to deliver a predictable track that’ll appeal to the widest audience possible. If you’re looking for something similar to their previous work, chances are you’ll enjoy it, but if you were hoping this collaboration would bring something more unique, you’ll be disappointed.