Liam Gallagher and John Squire release debut single ‘Just Another Rainbow’
Liam Gallagher and John Squire have shared their debut collaborative single, ‘Just Another Rainbow’.
After a lengthy period of Gallagher teasing fans, the project was officially announced last month. In the build-up, the former Oasis singer even piqued collective interest by describing their forthcoming album as “the best record” since The Beatles released the psychedelic masterpiece Revolver in 1966.
Now, the first taste of the duo’s project has arrived in the form of ‘Just Another Rainbow’, an ostensibly psychedelic piece that recalls the heady essence of Squire’s band The Stone Roses, thanks to his signature, effects-laden guitar. At points, the song also attempts to revive aspects of The Beatles album Gallagher referenced. Unfortunately, though, the quality promised is not what is delivered.
As the band kicks in, a swollen, clichéd psychedelic bassline and shimmering drums evoke the original summer of love in the most overcast, faded capacity. The commensurate first wave of psychedelia that inspired Gallagher and Squire is present but without the experimental potency. In the track’s second half, Squire provides one of his unique extended solos, a moment in which he steps on his overdrive pedal and the gloves are off. It’s a timely reminder of his brilliance.
Regardless of Squire’s talent that enriches the entire track, any initial excitement soon dissipates as Gallagher bursts through the mix with rotten lyrics as he – quite literally – begins to rattle off the colours of the rainbow like a school teacher in a weekend Oasis cover band.
Fittingly, the song touches on the feeling of disappointment, with Squire explaining “that you never get what you really want”. Although the following verse establishes the topic of the song, Gallagher’s supposed poetry is almost nonsensical in its simplicity, as he sings: “I search the sky / Just another rainbow / No pot of gold / Waiting here for me”. This later couplet is the most puzzling of all, though: “Paying the bills / Am I your windmill?”
Judging from the first taster, it’s hard to believe Gallagher’s assertion that the new album with Squire is on par with The Beatles’ Revolver. While Squire is undoubtedly the saving grace of the song, Gallagher’s almost comical lyrical and vocal input derides the music – which, outside of the Stone Roses guitarist, isn’t anything special.
The track lacks the authenticity of actual psychedelia, thanks to the overly polished production, and when Gallagher starts singing about red and orange and yellow and green, you’re left wondering whether he’s being ironic and the whole thing is a joke, but given his history, you’d suspect not, particularly in light of the serious comparison to Revolver. ‘Just Another Rainbow’ neither does something new nor refreshing with the classic formula the pair tried to replicate, failing to impact in a way that Gallagher and Squire’s finest efforts have done in the past.
Sadly, the two collaborators’ timeless work in the rock realm won’t save this sonic sewage from being consigned to the smellier drains of music history.
Listen to ‘Just Another Rainbow’ below.
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