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Oasis, Ryan Adams A Fine Match In Broomfield Show












At first it seems an odd pairing of acts. Oasis is a band of pop-rock stars that plays stadiums around the world (if not here in the U.S.). Ryan Adams' latest incarnation is with his fine band The Cardinals, but his style has bent more toward traditional rock and folk. It seemed the only characteristic the two share were their lead singers' penchant for being, um, outspoken.

But in a moment of fortuitous artistic synchronicity, both are going through a phase in their careers bent toward harder, at-times psychedelic rock. So the two rockers' sets in Broomfield on a snowy night matched up much better than anyone might have expected.

Adams seems to get in the press only when he has an onstage meltdown, with the mainstream ignoring his steady stream of fine albums and nonstop touring in various incarnations.

Adams has at times been solo, at times has had fine players around him, but never has he clicked onstage so seamlessly and intensely as with The Cardinals. Whether working through cuts from the new album Cardinology or recasting old Adams standards as hard-rock jams, the band was solid and exciting, easily bringing Oasis fans into the fold. Tougher versions of When the Stars Go Blue (with a warm, heartfelt guitar solo from Adams) and Come Pick Me Up were highlights, as was the new song Natural Ghost.

Oasis is known for rock-star attitude and drilled the point home by opening with Rock 'n' Roll Star, with singer Liam Gallagher dressed head to toe in black and full of his usual onstage affectations (what's with the tambourine in the mouth?).

The set was heavily salted with songs from the band's great new rock album Dig Out Your Soul, along with a bunch of carefully chosen earlier hits throughout the set, starting with a stirring version of Cigarettes & Alcohol.

The band began plowing through its catalog at breakneck speed, with new drummer Chris Sharrock (formerly of World Party and The Las) powering with frantic, impressive drumming.

Gallagher noted the anniversary of John Lennon's murder onstage, a tribute he gives with every Lennon-like note he sings. His voice can get a bit grating at times, so a two-song mini set without Liam found Noel Gallagher taking the lead on Waiting for the Rapture and The Masterplan.

At press time big hits, including Don't Look Back in Anger and Champagne Supernova awaited the crowd.

The sound at the Broomfield Events Center was solid and clean, but the place just can't seem to catch a break. With $19 tickets available, there was surely a large percentage of walk-up audience that stayed home due to the snow blowing sideways in the night.

Source: www.rockymountainnews.com

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