Liam’s inimitable charisma still inspires, still consumes, and the winsome Why Me? Why Not. is unmistakable evidence of this fact.
A classic sequel that adds depth of character, this follow-up to Liam’s Platinum-selling debut is best when he's introspective. And wait ‘til Noel hears the “cosmic pop”.
Why Me? Why Not. builds on its predecessor, 2017’s As You Were, sounding a lot more confident and sure-footed.
Why Me? Why Not. proves once and for all that, when Liam is as good as he is here, there’s little reason for an Oasis reunion beyond pleasant if vaguely pointless nostalgia.
Why Me? Why Not. revels in the joy Gallagher seems to feel whenever he makes music, an album written by an experienced artist who’s determined to prove the fun doesn’t have to end with Act One.
Liam evidently has no intention of throwing it all away again. Why Me? Why Not. ticks a number of boxes for his fanbase.
His existentially titled Why Me? Why Not. seems to be undertaking a therapeutic exercise; a sonic show of maturation, if you will.
There may not be a “Wonderwall” or “Champagne Supernova” on the record, but hook-laden songs like “Once” and “Alright Now” stand up comfortably next to Oasis’ latter-day work.
Where debut As You Were leaned on its rockers – songs Liam’s voice was clearly built for – as an antidote to the album’s largely amorphous, vanilla balladry, Liam’s sophomore offering succeeds despite them.
Sure, single ‘Shockwave’ and ‘Be Still’ plod slightly, but Liam’s second is a whole lot more sentimental.
Granted, Gallagher isn't as potent a personality as he was a quarter-century earlier, but his middle-aged control has its charms, too. He sounds relaxed on Why Me? Why Not., maybe for the first time ever.
The lasting, overall impression of Why Me? Why Not. is Liam Gallagher discovering a belief in himself as an artist rather than simply as a singer in a rock 'n' roll band.
This is a decent album indeed, a step on from his last and a step toward positivity with even a tad of musical and melodic exploration.
Despite the shiny, bright surfaces, what’s left unspoken is that Liam is not quite ready to admit that he’s already had the time of his life and is not quite sure what to do next.
It does what it sets out to do: provide Gallagher with material hooky enough that the arena crowds don’t storm the bars and lavatories when he stops playing Oasis songs.
This is Liam Gallagher at his most polished, happy to keep on playing the rock star part he’s best loved for, even if that means the music’s just fine.
Look – you know what to expect, so let's be having none of your whining. Liam Gallagher, for all his flaws, can hold a tune, and Why Me Why Not is full of them.
The Britpop sound was very accurate here, but it's over, and I don't think it should be brought back. It does seem like an Oasis tribute, but that's it, and I didn't get much more than that out of it. A lot of pretty generic tunes here, but none of which are all that bad, and I do think it is an improvement over Liam's last album.
Favorite Tracks: "Shockwave", "Be Still", "One Of Us", "Halo"
Least Favorite Tracks: "Meadow", "Alright ... read more
Shockwave - 3/5
One of Us - 4/5
Once - 4/5
Now That I've Found You - 4/5
Halo - 3/5
Why Me? Why Not. - 5/5 ❤
Be Still - 3/5
Alright Now - 3/5
Meadow - 3/5
The River - 3/5
Gone - 4/5
This album shows an improvement on the sound that Liam showed on his debut
The songwriting on this album shows a more vulnerable and sincere side of Liam with songs reflecting on his mother and his feud with Noel that led to Oasis’ breakup
I do think that As You Were has higher highs on this album but this is a more consistent tracklist with only a few duds throughout
Songs like Once, One of Us, Be Still, The River, and NTIFY are personal highlights for me
Overall a solid sophomore ... read more
1 | Shockwave 3:30 | 68 |
2 | One of Us 3:25 | 84 |
3 | Once 3:33 | 91 |
4 | Now That I've Found You 3:20 | 82 |
5 | Halo 3:58 | 76 |
6 | Why Me? Why Not. 3:38 | 82 |
7 | Be Still 3:00 | 82 |
8 | Alright Now 3:47 | 74 |
9 | Meadow 4:05 | 71 |
10 | The River 3:26 | 79 |
11 | Gone 3:45 | 72 |
#17 | / | Albumism |
#41 | / | Q Magazine |
#45 | / | Far Out Magazine |
#100 | / | Rough Trade |
/ | Radio X |