Reviewed by Ian Phillips.
By Liam Gallagher, Warner Music UK 2019.
A couple of years ago I reviewed Liam Gallagher’s debut solo record, As You Were, saying how good it was to hear that nasally drawl again.
They say that good things come to those who wait and now he has finally followed that first effort with a record that can be seen as a natural progression of As You Were rather than a radical departure from it.
Why Me? Why Not was written by Liam with producers Andrew Wyatt and Greg Kurstin who worked on his previous album.
It was recorded in Los Angeles and at RAK Studios in London.
Liam explains that he wrote most of the songs on As You Were by himself but this time it’s all collaborations with Andrew and Greg.
“Reason being is that I want it to be even better than As You Were. I know my strengths and my limitations. I’m an ok songwriter, but I’m a great singer and frontman.”
I think Liam’s decision to collaborate with proven hit makers is a wise decision because this album is a definite step up from his very good debut.
The first single, Shockwave, has a riff that channels The Who or T Rex and lyrics that spit venom: You sold me right down the river, you had to hold me back, you could’ve looked for the sunshine, but you had to paint the whole thing black.
There are so many quality songs on Why Me? Why Not.
From the Beatle-tinged title track, which Liam describes as “having a Beatles Come Together vibe”, to the soulful One Of Us that includes Liam’s son Gene Gallagher’s debut on bongos (Liam’s assessment was that “he nailed it”) and on to the Pink Floyd inspired Once, the thing that stands out about this album is the quality and variety.
I predict that Why Me? Why Not will see a return to the top of the charts for the combative Liam Gallagher.
The music press has already dusted off the accolades and I agree with all of them.
A triumph…The voice of the last generation is a voice for this one too – Q magazine
A classic sequel that adds depth and character – NME
A bold brash and hugely impressive return – Clash
