Grade: A+ | Genre: Brit Rock Summary: So what's the "Truth" anyway? Is it that Oasis is washed up and beyond their prime as some may have believed? Maybe the real truth is that Don't Believe The Truth may be the album that's remembered in 2005 over the much delayed X&Y from Coldplay. The Big Brit Rock Monster (try saying that 10 times) has reared it's progressive head and has its sights set on the musically dry US soil. This is turning out to be its year to shine with recent hit releases from Doves and Bloc Party. However, as great as Some Cities and Silent Alarm were/are, they are mere warm-ups to eminent blockbusters coming from the likes of Coldplay and today's top focus, Oasis. The time is ripe for music lovers as these big bands are rewarding loyal fans with their even bigger albums. It's been three years since the moderately successful, Heathen Chemistry (did it even chart stateside?), and the Gallagher brothers are back and quick to tell anyone who get in their faces that they haven't lost a f*cking step. The egocentric and self-loving wankers still have the fire to knock us on our arse with their high swagger and pompous egos. They don't do much to win us over, nor do they care, but damn if they don't make great music. Don't Believe the Truth is a wake up call for all those critics who accused them of "losing it" and aims to splash water on Coldplay's over hyped pre-release campaign.

I'll admit that I still haven't gotten over a cancelled show in Atlanta 5+ years ago, where I had 5th row center seats (5th ROW CENTER!). Instead, a couple years later I had to settle for an over crowded outdoor music festival to see the feuding brothers finally settle their differences and march together on stage to give fans a taste of what they missed. It was a brilliant show still overshadowed by family squabbles that just couldn't make up for the lost opportunities. Noel, if you're reading this, here's your chance to make an Atlanta fan for life.

Don't Believe the Truth is Oasis back at their highest standards and probably their best effort since (What's The Story) Morning Glory? and Definitely Maybe. Noel has given more creative license to the rest of his mates including l'il brother, Liam, and the results speak for themselves. You get the original flavors that made their earlier work so memorable compounded with updated sounds reminiscent of the experimental, "F*cking In the Bushes" off the Snatch Soundtrack.

The album kicks off with "Turn up the Sun" that begins like any other Brit Pop song. The sweeping guitars blare with unexpected softness, but then, as if to spit in your face and say "we're better than this" they pick things up with raw and aggressive emotion. Lyrics like, "I carry madness, everywhere I go" make sure you know where they coming from and which way they're heading.

The current single, "Lyla," continues their firm stance and is a rockin' serenade to a girl they've been "[waiting] for a thousand years...to come and blow [them] off [their] mind." It's a surprising single to help usher in the new era because the other 13 tracks are so much stronger.

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One thought that always crosses my mind is "why doesn't Noel take mic duties away from Liam more often than not?" The emotionally charging "Part of the Queue" would never have been as great if Liam were out in front, and I bet Noel would be the first to tell you this. A great example of why the elder brother should take control more often is on "Let there me Love." Don't get me wrong, Liam's scratchy pipes work just fine, but when Noel steps in half way through, the song takes on a whole new personality. You really have to question why the man behind the band won't take the lead as often as he doesn't.

So what's the "Truth" anyway? Is it that Oasis is washed up and beyond their prime as some may have believed? Maybe the real truth is that Don't Believe may be the album that's remembered in 2005 over the much delayed X&Y from Coldplay. Oasis has made a strong argument with their latest work and has defined themselves once again as a leader of the Brit Rock movement. Check it out for yourself.

Also, look for the review of X&Y coming soon.