With a title once again taken from one of his favorite Twitter sayings, Liam Gallagher returns with new album ‘C’Mon You Know’ ahead of some huge shows at Knebworth this summer – his first appearance at the iconic venue since Oasis legendary shows in 1996.
‘More Power’ opens the album with a children’s choir and acoustic strums before Liam’s distinctive vocals come roaring in complaining about people thinking that they’re Gods (any guesses who he could be referring to?) and then demanding: ‘If you want to learn to love, you better learn to kneel’. ‘Diamond in the Dark’ follows with short stabs of bluesy guitar that reminded us of ‘AM’-era Arctic Monkeys and Liam delivering the word ‘Memoriessss’ in a way only he can. ‘Don’t Go Halfway’ is filled with traditional Gallagher rhymes – ‘Well, I’ve learned in my time it’s all a pantomime’ – before Liam hilariously declares ‘I’m as spangled as a flag in America’.
The title track is a big-sounding ballad complete with handclaps and the promise ‘We’re gonna dance all night’ that takes a gospel tone as Liam calls his brothers and sisters ‘beautiful people’ before showing some vulnerability: ‘I’m sick of acting like I’m tough. C’Mon baby, give us a hug’. ‘Too Good for Giving Up’ has positive vibes throughout with a sound very much in the Bacharach space: ‘The universe will provide a guiding hand, a crack of light, you’re too good for giving up’. ‘It Was Not Meant To Be’ has the inevitable Beatles influence running through while also offering nods to The La’s and Liam’s own classic, ‘Songbird: ‘In your heart, I know you want to settle down’.
Lead single – co-written with Dave Grohl – features the Foo Fighters man on drums, which might explain why there’s a more aggressive and punky tone and attitude running through: ‘I don’t hate you but I despise that feeling there’s nothing left for me here’. This is followed by the harmonica-led ‘World’s in Need’ and jazz-tinged psychedelia of ‘Moscow Rules’. ‘I’m Free’ is all about Liam’s snarling vocals – ‘Go back to your prisoners because I’m free’ – while ‘Better Days’ reminded us of Gallagher Sr’s collaboration with The Chemical Brothers on ‘Let Forever Be’, although with tender observations about how ‘The sadness will be washed away by the rain’.
‘Oh Sweet Children’ closes the album with a Lennon-esque plea and passing of the baton to a younger generation: ‘It’s your time and it’s your place and I hope you’ll not let either go to waste’. With ‘C’Mon You Know’, Liam knows he’s no reinventing the wheel but instead is giving his legion of loyal fans exactly what they want – singalong anthems that will fit seamlessly into his Oasis-heavy setlists.
