NOEL & COUNCIL SKIES - The Meaning Behind The Album (and Robbie Williams, for some reason...) 

If Noel is using Robbie Williams for inspiration then I give up

I think track 13 on the deluxe edition explains it all. It's his excellent cover of John Lennon's "Mind Games". Noel is playing his mind games again.

Glad you gave this album it's own proper review. So many top tunes and a storming return to form from the master. Love this album so much.

35 quid for vinyl.. f that!

Great songwriting and musical construction but one gripe from me. The mixing is really flat, wall of sound, almost sounds mono.

Christ, if you thought his stuff after Chasing Yesterday was "Techno Electronica" I'd hate to see you listen to some actual experimental music!

It’s his best since chasing yesterday for me

Instant respect for shouting out Out Of The Blue, incredible album.

Dunno if Noel has nicked chords and tunes off of Robbie, but he did nick his drummer (Chris Sharrock) back in 2008!

There She Blows killed it for me. A direct lift of Homefront Cameo by Cotton Mather. Hats off to the mention of ELO Out of the Blue. One of the greatest

I always love your breakdowns James. Thanks for sharing.

James you need to get the 2 disc album of this mate because he has a radio 2 session of live forever and the riff in the jntro sounds exactly like Angels by robbie williams

I have to admit, i wasn't really pumped for this album release, the singles that were released didnt captivate me. But after watching this vid, and giving it a few listens through, i actually really really love it. It is as good if not better than chasing yesterday. Nice one james 👏

My first thought when I listened to ‘There She Blows’ was concerning the lyric ‘The finest commander that the world had ever known He died of a broken heart 'Cause I I told him that I loved you more I told him that I loved you more I love you more than love’…If you switch the word Commander for Frontman then it could be about how Noel chose Sara over Oasis when he walked away. Just a thought.

James! You should do a video about the alternative universe in which Inspiral Carpets gave Noel the singer job when he auditioned back in the early 90s… and what form definitely maybe may have come out in if he became their vocalist.

Love the album, think it's Noel's best work post-Oasis. Caught the 2nd show on the US tour last week and it was great! He played 5 songs from the new album, 5 Oasis tracks including an acoustic-y version of Live Forever which was interesting to hear, Masterplan which was amazing, and ended the set with Don't Look Back In Anger. Probably the closest I'll ever get to seeing Oasis live so it was a great experience.

Not guna lie. No regrets by Robbie is a masterpiece

“We’re gonna get there in the end”’s lyric “don’t be afraid when you’re rolling the dice, life is a trip that you don’t take twice” is just brilliant

"Pretty Boy" could be about Oasis comeback... all part of the Masterplan??? Beneath the starry sky Of a distant moon At the magic moment That's gonna come too soon... ...I hope you live to see them Before you get too old You bring the whole world down I'll make your dreams come true...

Trying to find a world that’s been and gone and easy now? It’s Dying of the Light mate, “the cold against my shoulder” bus fares, he’s about to cry, now he is crying, it’s all there! So is dying of the light a song about cracks in his marriage? Another lyric reference is finding the place where he belongs which is also in Sail On “tell the girl behind the counter I loved her once, but soon I must be gone…”

Great album and great review. Thanks James. For me 'Who Built the Moon' is his best work so far, the combo of him and David Holmes was something very special indeed. The idea of writing songs there and then in the studio was so refreshing, and it forced Noel to innovate in different ways. Very exploratory & creative album. This new album however is great and am pleased he's kept the Oasis fans happy.

"Open The Door, See What You Find" sounds like "I Am The Key" by The La's. The lyric "There She Blows!" Is also sung during the second verse of "There She Goes" by The La's as a variation.

"Going to HMV to buy the album" That's still a store that exists? To me (im 23) that sounds like "Well better head down to blockbuster and pickup that new matrix movie" lol

Today I suddenly imagined you narrating an hour long Oasis iceberg video. And now I'm sure you have the knowledge to actually make something like this soon. Keep it up

CD2 of the deluxe version opens with "Don't Stop..." (last Oasis single) and closes with a version of "Live forever". At least it caught my attention on a solo album by Noel. I think good times are coming ;)

Is the new love Oasis, as in he's not sure about going back. Also, in one of the songs he sings about being caught in the crosshair. I heard that to be about Sara and Liam hating each other and being given an ultimatum, and he's maybe admitting he was forced to side with someone he perhaps shouldn't have.

Alright Jack Reacher just stop.Reaching. I appreciate your effort but the reaching is just way out of reach Mr Reacher.

LibertyShipDisappeared= Oasis FinestCommander = Liam Told him that I love you more

That ‘life thru a lens’ one is ‘fade away’ mate. That chord stuck out to me instantly when I first heard it. I highly doubt Noel is thinking about Robbie 😂👍🏼

Think a video on the connection between Cotton Mather and Oasis/The Gallaghers would be worth telling with the lift thats in There She Blows!

Alas, £35 seems to be the RRP for all new single LP releases these days. Inflation, innit.

Noel dared Liam to call him so they can reunite Oasis. It's on this interview. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-3tLLrrEhAiY.html

Love is a Rich Man also has the same melody as a song called Outcast by Eddie and Ernie. He has also gave them songwriter credits for the Love is a Rich Man, which is how I tracked it down.

“The finest commander The world has ever know Died of a broken heart ‘Cause I told him that loved you More than love” Far fetched but that could also be interpreted as a callback to the day Noel left Oasis, leaving Liam behind which Liam seen as an abandonment, in favour of his new life with Sarah. Calling him ‘the finest commander’ due to his role as the frontman of the band, being the one that would generate a reaction from fans. So when Noel chose a life with Sarah over the band it shattered Liam

On first few listens I really like it. It flows together really well. What I think makes it so good is that it's the first time that it's a proper Noel album. It's full of the songs that he's best at but more importantly they're all Noel songs. Every other album has songs that you think 'yeah, it's a good song but it would sound amazing with Liam singing it....' There's none of that on this one, at least not that I can hear. And for that it's the least Oasisy album he's written even if it's a 'return' to his classic style.

It's definitely up there as one of my favourite albums of all time

Noel recently said he wished "Think of A Number" was the opener and "I'm Not Giving Up Tonight" was the closer, which might fit the narrative better by starting with the break-up and ending positively.

It does seem as if the actress in the Easy Now video resembles his daughter...

13:34 in the masterplan riff i would say reminds me of one of the riffs in the Wall by Pink Floyd

I'm surprised you haven't managed to get an interview with Noel. I don't think he's ever turned one down! he'd read out the weather forecast if asked

Council skies is about burnage where he was from when born🎉

Should've bought it from a local independent record shop and not HMV. Support local record stores!

I agree with noels statement about ‘no one is humming the chords’,he’s right. The average joe isnt walking around thinking i wonder what chords he’s playing there. Of course it helps but as long as the melody behind the chords is great then who cares. More complicated doesnt always mean better, look at wonderwall or bittersweet symphony for example.

The verse of "There she blows" is very reminiscent of the middle 8 of"Bus stop" as made famous by The Hollies. Decent album after a first listen.

Did anyone see the guitar peddle show, pure gold x

That whooshing wind sound can’t be the same as the one from Let’s All Make Believe as it’s a preset from the Arturia Analog Lab synth pack.

Some other easter eggs: Council Skies 'I found you, I found you' - linking back to 'I will find you, I will find you' from the ballad of the mighty I Think of a number - The change at 1:40 sounds very much like 'Fade away'

I don't know about the music but another video was comparing the album to White City by Pete Townshend. I mean, the cover is a blatant rip off if nothing else.....

I liked his electronic departure sound. I thought it was great.

I didn't know the world still sold CDs

I love Trying To Find A World That's Been And Gone, but when are we getting Part 2? If you take out the instrumental parts, it only seems like half of a fantastic song

Nice to see you doing a video on this album. Clearly Noel has been listening to a lot of Robbie Williams haha. Another potentially interesting thing I noticed, is that on the Deluxe version of the album, Don't Stop is track 11 and We're Gonna Get There In The End is track 12. I don't know if that means anything but thought I'd point it out. Although I always like the think of that song as a goodbye to Oasis fans. But regardless, it's a top album from the chief!

3:07 you weren't taken with council skies initially? That's mental, considering you made a big video breaking down how much u loved it. What changed between first and then multiple listens?

It really does work great as an album. I fucking hate pretty boy though can’t lie😂

I saw noel play the other night in vivary park taunton and it was absolutely incredible. Hearing him play the songs from the new album you can definitely hear the longing to let go of something dark and return to the optimism of the past. It's definitely my favourite album since chasing yesterday lyrically.

8:31 I see your, “Bitter Sweet” and raise you, Bob Dylan’s, “Lay Lady Lay”!

Fun fact: Millennium by Robbie Williams runs 4:08 Open the door see what you find runs?....... 4:08 😂

Excellent work James, good job contributing to #Takebackthecharts

I can't imagine Noel intentionally lifting anything from a Robbie Williams song - but it could've happened accidentally, I guess. Council Skies is a great album, but I adored Who Built the Moon? By far his best. Maybe you could do a video explaining why you're not feeling that album.

Guy chamber's Band pre-Robbie was called the Lemon trees- the other 2 members?.. the Stacey brothers(!)

What u think of stereophonics 1st album 💿 just wondering as it was my 1st album I saved up for.

There is Oasis (Liam Gallagher he named the band) and Noel Gallagher's High FLYING BIRDS Noel can't put out a bad album but that The Smiths cover "There is a Light that never goes out" is so good he could have made this Whole album that song for an hour and I would buy it!!!!!

James I think There She Blows is actually a nod to Home Front Cameo by Cotton Mather. An album he championed in the 90s (which is fantastic btw) and which I recall he likened to being the closest thing to Revolver.

Yeah I immediately thought Pretty Boy was about Liam, but when you put it in the concept of a breakup/relationship it makes a lot more sense. I need to listen to the album a few more times though to get a proper feel for it

I bought Noel Gallagher’s Council Skies From HMV In Cardiff It’s Great Album. I love it. Return to Form. I love Who Built the Moon It was Different but I love his first Two Albums more.

Homage/easter-egg (for true Beatles fans) >> Track: Don't Stop (around 2:48) // Easter-egg (or plain rip-off): Dig a Pony's (slightly changed) riff - not the intro one, though, the one after "...all I want is you")

If you have to listen to a song 3 times to decide you like it.... That's pretty sad. IMO - (don't get angry) If Noel hadn't been in Oasis - and his first release in the charts was anything by THFBs.... he really wouldn't have sold many albums. Story??? A continuous narrative for the album - I really think you think far too much about his plans for an album. - I enjoy your channel - lots of research and enjoyable information -

I’m surprised you didn’t mention Think of a Number’s (to me) obvious similarity with both Falling Down & U2’s New Years Day.

Don’t get how these tracks fit with your theory, at least one of them was public back in 2020 with full produced vid of the M62 etc. Good album though, I really do enjoy your videos JH. Keep up the great work.

James, I always enjoy your videos and your analysis of Noel’s work, however, I’ve felt lately that you’re seeing signs and meanings where almost definitely none exist. No way would Noel include a reference to a Robbie Williams song. Don’t forget that Williams loved Oasis early on and has nicked a couple of Noel’s ideas. That’s all there is to it IMO. I know you included the caveat that your ideas are just for fun, but I still think you shouldn’t go down a fantasy rabbit hole with connections and meanings which in all likelihood just do not exist. You’re in danger of being the musical equivalent of a conspiracy theorist, and that’s a place where I suspect you’d rather not end up.

There She Blows is lifted from Cotton Mather. Likewise Blobby Williams. Noel isn't sat there ripping off Blobby.

I never really thought of that theory for Easy Now….interesting. But probably what intrigues me most is that deep down he’s jealous of Robbie (blobby) Williams 😂

Some very valid points there James, but I agree with Noel on the sound of the guitars on Morning Glory was substandard. Be Here Now it was verging on hard rock and showed real progression. Even though it was unfortunately overproduced.

There she blows! to me has some references to Bag it up and it sounds Beatles-ish Think of a number, still can't tell what the chorus sounds like but something from Oasis in the 90s Edit There it is. Think of a number chorus, a mixture of Fade away warchild version and going nowhere

I listened to it for the first time yesterday evening - Decent album - I noticed the Robbie Williams No Regrets steal and thought surely Noel wouldn’t knowingly steal from Robbie Williams?

Loads of Bowie connections in this record for me. The break in think of a number is a rip of China Girl for example

There's only so many chords you can play in a certain order. It's not limitless. The Beatles had same chord sequences as classical music. It's just a sequence of notes. Not using fecking Robbie Williams melody's i can tell you.

I have tickets to a Noel Q&A - We'll be emailing ticket holders to submit questions in advance for what's sure to be a fascinating evening. - Can anyone give me some good questions to ask.

I think this is NG's White City album (by Pete Townshend). Even the album cover is similar.

Great work on the video. On think of a number in between lyrics or so there's a guitar riff or sound that is similar to Coldplay track talk off of x and y.

I appreciate this video; however Noel has said most of this was written in lockdown 2020. Do you think he was separating from his wife back then?

Not sure I agree with "get there if you can " being written as part of this album , am sure it was written during the pandemic so in my opinion it doesn't fit in with the story of the album ....apart from that I agree with most of your post keep up the good work it's brilliant 😁😁😁😁

honestly for me this album genuinely saved me in so many ways it’s a masterpiece for me

Jimbo sopt on about the noel comment like you i read and lsten to all new a nd interviews But i remembet cos james shuold have said it at the time .i dont think noel likes us fans channels and noel being a drummpy old sod is why😄😄😄 ( way to stoned to fix the examination )

That chorus of Think of a Number gave me vibes of the blur song Resigned but maybe that’s just me

£35 ? How, why ? I streamed it yesterday, it’s a great album, but £35 is taking the p#ss.

James, just be glad you don't live in New Zealand, I just paid $70 for it.

I'm not sure it's a lift or a sample, but there are tonnes of little vocal melodies that remind me of To Be Someone by The Jam. He did a cover of that in the past, and it kind of resonates lyrically with all these themes.

Drum fill in ‘There She Blows’ very evocative of ‘Instant Karma’ one.

Open the door see what you find opening sounds like It's only love by the Beatles. Easter egg

Actually that TOAN part also reminded me Bowie's China girl middle eight. Not sure the chords are the same, but pretty similar melody. Bowie influence to me is also in LIARM, with the brass section coming from Berlin trilogy somewhere...

Another reference I thought of - Noel's said this album had a lot of David Bowie influence. Easy Now really reminds me of that because of 1. the guitar tone in the solo is quite similar to Heroes by Bowie, which Oasis/Noel themselves have covered and 2. the vocal line in the chorus, where Noel hits a high octave, is quite similar to Life on Mars (and also kinda self referential to vocals in the Importance of Being Idle and the Death of You and Me)

I wonder if sarah is a massive robbie fan and noel is either trolling her or playing mind games with her.

I Am Kloot - Sky At Night...........vs..............Council Skies - NG. just a daft contest but go track for track and compare which song feels better. 9/10 - 7.8/10

his best of is great until you get to she bangs she bangs...

34,99 for the vinyl, how much does the CD cost? 12 pounds?

It's a shame Foo Fighters took number 1. Noel's long streak is over

Honestly think you should be more open to the idea of electronic music and other genres in general seems your music taste isn't all too diverse

Love is a rich man - in addition to stone roses i also hear ‘Lightning Seeds - Change’

This reminds me of Tommy from the who breaking free of his disabilities