Dig Out Your Soul Oasis I’m never quite sure what to make of this hugely notorious and successful band.

The rough-and-ready Mancunians took the world by storm during the Britpop era of the nineties, with mega hits such as Wonderwall, Champagne Supernova and Don’t Look Back In Anger.

There’s no arguing with the fact that some of Oasis’ early work produced some of the decade’s biggest anthems.

The tunes were made yet more captivating by the idea that the genius behind this songwriting talent was an angry-looking man dressed as a tramp, fronted by his equally-trampy brother.

However, when I hear the band’s comeback albums — like this one — I can’t help but think that every track is the same whingy vocals, strumming and lazy beats, with the odd exception of course.

Bag It Up — the first track on Dig Out Your Soul — sets a good pace with great rhythm and crashing guitar riffs.

The band’s latest single, The Shock Of The Lightening, also provides that all-important hit of rock energy, and what sounds at first like the usual drone, suddenly becomes quite melodic. This is Oasis talent at its best.

In the second half of the album, one or two tracks take on a distinctly Eastern influence, with the use of some more exotic sounds and even a bit of hand clapping. There is a faint hint of the Beatles’ psychedelic era, but nothing catchy enough to stick.

Overall, the album doesn’t do much to quash my suspicion that the best of Oasis has been and gone, in terms of ability to produce a string of hits.

Die-hard Oasis fans will of course see the bigger picture, but it wouldn’t come as a great suprise.

Oasis can do no wrong to its loyal followers, who still bask in the band’s morning glory.

RATING: ***