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In the Post #104: Beady Eye reveal new song ‘Flick of the Finger’ off their next album

Liam Gallagher’s post-Oasis band Beady Eye are back in the ring in 2013 with a pugilistic new single, ‘Flick of the Finger’. In his typically blunt and defiant fashion, Gallagher comes out swinging with the opening line, “woke up this morning / I was laid out flat on the dark side”.

As might be expected, the forward-charging rhythm section and the guitar melody give the song a definite Oasis-type sound. Unlike Oasis (with older brother Noel at the songwriting helm), the vocal melody here is stubbornly repetitive, with no proper chorus or bridge to break up the monotony. This combined with Liam Gallagher’s overly nasal singing and the strident brass in the instrumental arrangement creates an effect very much like fingernails on a chalkboard.

The song ends somewhat weirdly, with a spoken section referring to some vaguely imagined proletariat rebellion. This section contains the title reference, about government scientists creating weapons that “can, with the flick of a finger, tear a million of you to pieces”.

Never one to pull a punch, Gallagher has written a song full of swagger and braggadocio, but without any particular sting or power. His approach is somewhat heavier-handed here than on their debut album ‘Different Gear, Still Speeding’, which may be an indication of the musical direction Beady Eye intends to take in the future.

5/10

‘Flick of the Finger’ is the first preview of Beady Eye’s second studio album, currently operating under the working title of BE 06.2013. It is presumably due out in June.