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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
Heathen Chemistry
Mixed or average reviews
Based on 22 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 71 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: Sony
Release Date: 02 July 2002
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Alternative, Rock, Britpop
Summary
This is the fifth studio album for the one-time superstars, who now retain only the brothers Gallagher from their original lineup. Former Ride guitarist Andy Bell and Heavy Stereo bassist Gem Archer make their first studio appearances as members of the band, and in an Oasis first, all four members share in the songwriting.
Also By This Artist: Dig Out Your Soul Don't Believe The Truth Familiar To Millions
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Blender
Sounds like a band back on track. [#8, p.120]
New Musical Express
Oasis can't help but sound like a group battling to free themselves from being last century's thing.
Read Full Review >E! Online
Pretty much the same Beatles-esque pub-rock with Middle Eastern punches you'd expect--though with more shared singing and songwriting duties than past outings have had.
Read Full Review >Billboard
While the electronic flourishes and arrogant bombast that respectively marred the band's last two efforts are thankfully gone, there's nothing on Heathen Chemistry to suggest that the "Wonderwall" commercial glory days of the mid-'90s are coming back.
Read Full Review >Dot Music
Essentially, Oasis have tentatively begun to master the art of becoming veterans: writing songs that reflect their circumstances and not a mythical image of what they once were; songs that suggest there's life in the old beast yet.
Read Full Review >Entertainment Weekly
A step up from the previous two tossers. [12 July 2002, p.84]
All Music Guide
It's hard not to find this album kind of disappointing, a confirmation that no matter what they do, Oasis Mach II will never have the sheer abandon or thrill as Definitely Maybe through Morning Glory.
Read Full Review >Rolling Stone
As on the last few Oasis outings, particularly the arrogant Standing on the Shoulder of Giants, from 2000, Noel's nerdy-architect tendencies are counterbalanced by the bratty and hedonistic snarl of his brother Liam.
Read Full Review >The Onion (A.V. Club)
Those who are already fond of the band, and who go into Chemistry with a proper sense of lowered expectations, should leave entertained.
Read Full Review >Vibe
Crackles with anger, energy, and defiance. [Aug 2002, p.156]
Mojo
There's got to be something better, man. [July 2002, p.94]
Uncut
The new material, with some exceptions, lacks spark and flair, having a sense of anti-climax about it. [Aug 2002, p.106]
Alternative Press
Noel Gallagher's songwriting is more derivative than ever. [Aug 2002, p.78]
Playlouder
That the band that churned out some of the best records ever made in a phenomenal two-year creative splurge should be reduced to anything as pubby as this is nothing short of tragic.
Read Full Review >Spin
The good news is that they haven't completely lost their nerve; they still play their bombastic brat-rock like it's the apotheosis of Western pop culture. Sadly, this is also the bad news. [Aug 2002, p.113]
Q Magazine
Any good news – Liam’s decent fist of songwriting, the less oppressive sound, the professional playing – is rendered largely irrelevant by the gaping chasm where more decent songs should be.
Read Full Review >New York Magazine
Psychedelia is really only compelling when ego takes a backseat to kaleidoscopic music, and the Gallaghers are, of course, incapable of such a gesture.
Read Full Review >Village Voice
Nowadays, the Gallaghers can only offer stylized guitar murk and hookless acoustic ditties; even scarier, you can understand their lyrics, which are more mush-headed and lovey-dovey than you'd expect from a band this self-satisfied.
Read Full Review >Pitchfork
Heathen Chemistry also takes the time to cop riffs and progressions from previous Oasis hits.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 7.4 (out of 10) based on 71 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Eric C gave it a0:
Pick up a guitar, put your fingers anywhere on the strings, and just strum that cord over and over. Than sing whatever the hell you want, or just whine in a singing voice, and you have as much creativity as a band like Oasis.
Sean gave it a10:
Brilliant....Stop comparing everything to Definitely Maybe and look at it as just another album and it comes out brilliant
evan j gave it a10:
This truly a great Oasis album. From the moment it starts to the end of Better Man you're constantly pulled into the album. The production and flow are amazing. Definately one of the most underrated albums ever.
Rico R gave it a9:
I'm tired of people giving this album a bad rap, its got some really great songs. I'm biased perhaps because I first saw oasis play live on the heathen Chemistry tour and I was blown away. These songs have a special place in my heart.
dave n gave it a6:
Nobody in their right mind saw Oasis crashing and burning as much as they did after they released "Morning Glory". The first two CDs were absolutely brilliant, but then they released their third CD and it was crap. It didn't get much better after that. Finally comes Heathen Chemistry which offers a glimmer of hope into Oasis future. While it doesn't even compare to the greatness of "Definitely Maybe" or "Morning Glory" its their best effort besides those two and that definitely provides some light in an otherwise black tunnel.
Steve K gave it a7:
Not bad like some songs solid it led htem to dont believe the truth which is awsomee so good job.
Tony S gave it a7:
This is a good album by Oasis but when you're one of the all time greats, good isn't good enough. There are 6 classics on here but 4 very ordinary tunes a very short instrumental. The band produced the record themselves and apart from a few inspired moments, it's clear the boys should have got someone in, who knows what they're doing. The biggest crime is not knowing how to mix Liams vocals, he sounds too tame on certain tracks here, while Noels voice sounds too loud in the mix on some of his vocals. Overall, a good album but quite forgettable.
