Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
by Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
  • Record Label: Island
  • Release Date: Nov 8, 2011
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
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  1. AllMusic
    Nov 8, 2011
    60
    Noel's High Flying Birds is tasteful, mannered craftsmanship.
  2. Under The Radar
    Nov 2, 2011
    60
    The problem is that the rest of High Flying Birds is not as successful as it is ambitious. [Oct 2011, p.99]
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  3. Clash Music
    Oct 17, 2011
    60
    Lyrically, there are interesting ruminations on the trappings of fame ('(I Wanna Live In A Dream In My) Record Machine') and his troubled mind ('Broken Arrow'), while the album is all the better for losing some of the bravado Noel hid behind while writing for Liam--but there are admittedly some clunkers.
  5. Drowned In Sound
    Oct 17, 2011
    60
    Tick the boxes, add a few strings, loud bit here, quiet bit there--it presents as the musical equivalent of a catering buffet that while attractive, initially satisfying and never truly souring of the palate, ends up quickly becoming a homogenised sprawl that fails to tempt you back for second helpings.
  6. musicOMH.com
    Oct 17, 2011
    60
    There are certainly some nice tunes here though it's doubtful if Underground buskers will be swapping them for the likes of Wonderwall and Don't Look Back In Anger in their Christmas run-up repertoire.
  7. The Guardian
    Oct 17, 2011
    60
    For now, it'll do that it's a more enjoyable album than Oasis' latter-day catalogue.
  8. The Independent (UK)
    Oct 17, 2011
    60
    One can't help wondering whether this was really the album that Noel Gallagher set out to make when he contemplated a solo career, or just the one he settled for.
  9. Pitchfork
    Oct 18, 2011
    57
    Forever a slave to rock history, Gallagher feels like he's biding his time for the third act reunion rather than breaking from the well-trod path.
  10. Chicago Tribune
    Nov 7, 2011
    50
    Gallagher never turns these slight detours into genuine departures. By not veering far from the Oasis blueprint, he invites unflattering comparisons to his best work.
  11. PopMatters
    Nov 4, 2011
    50
    Beneath the shiny new ear candy, the album peddles the same sort of passable exercises in Gallagher's patented populist songcraft that have populated the last decade's worth of Oasis LPs, with the main difference being the boorish laddishness embodied by Liam is totally absent.
  12. Uncut
    Oct 18, 2011
    40
    The cumulative effect of all this mid-tempo moodiness is that High Flying Birds feels awfully plodding. [Nov 2011, p.88]
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  13. The Observer (UK)
    Oct 17, 2011
    40
    For now, then, Gallagher's High Flying Birds are merely coasting.

Awards & Rankings

42
#42 Most Discussed Album of 2011
5
#5 Most Shared Album of 2011

User Reviews

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User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 146 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 122 out of 146
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 146
  3. Negative: 15 out of 146
  1. LiveForever92
    Nov 8, 2011
    10
    Brilliant album by Noel Gallagher. This album truly contains some brilliant songs with wonderful melodies. It is a shame that Noel GallagherBrilliant album by Noel Gallagher. This album truly contains some brilliant songs with wonderful melodies. It is a shame that Noel Gallagher never seems to get proper credit in professional reviews despite making some fantastic songs. People expect him to top Definitely Maybe or WTSMG? every time he records and album. Those are outrageous expectations, but despite that Noel comes with brilliant songs and this album is proof of that.… Full Review »
  2. EnemaViaPope
    Nov 10, 2011
    8
    Noel's best work since Morning Glory. A class apart from Beady eye. A must if you're an Oasis fan, I'd still pick it up even if you're not.Noel's best work since Morning Glory. A class apart from Beady eye. A must if you're an Oasis fan, I'd still pick it up even if you're not. Only one stinker; Solider boys and Jesus freaks. Other then that a great modern album. A nice pick-me-up from the stress's of life.… Full Review »
  3. ADoc1980
    Nov 9, 2011
    10
    Easily one of the best albums of the year, Noel Gallagher has proven once and for all that he deserves to be placed among the greatestEasily one of the best albums of the year, Noel Gallagher has proven once and for all that he deserves to be placed among the greatest songwriters of not only his generation, but all time. While many music fans and critics pine for the glory days of Oasis, Noel has consistently shown an ability to create high-quality, accessible tunes that beg to be listened to over and over.

    Often criticized for the simplistic nature of his songs, Noel seems to bask in throwing it in the face of those critics, realizing correctly that making great music does not mean having to reinvent the wheel. Noel admits freely that he is operating at the peak of his abilities at all times and nearly 20 years after he and Oasis burst on to the scene, most other songwriters struggle to keep up.

    I don't need to get into each track off the album, but if you want even more proof as to why Noel remains such a potent musical force, look no further than the B-sides that accompany the singles from this album. "A Simple Game of Genius" and "Let the Lord Shine a Light On Me" in particular stand as testaments to Noel's ability to almost nonchalantly pluck classic tracks out of thin air, and are better songs than most acts choose to release as singles.

    Simply put, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds is simply another step in the wonderful musical journey that Noel has led his legions of fans on for years. Hopefully his move to full-time solo artist will finally grab hold here in the United States where for too long people have dismissed anything written by Noel Gallagher not called "Wonderwall" or Champagne Supernova".    … Full Review »
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