Cover of "The Death of You and Me" single from Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds

When Oasis imploded in late 2009 I couldn’t really claim that I was all that surprised. As an Oasis Fan you kind of expected it would happen at some point.

We also knew this would mean two things – more music from Noel and Liam; just not with each other.

Earlier this year Liam and the rest of Oasis minus Noel released their debut album as Beady Eye, a strong effort that actually rivals some of Oasis’ best material in recent years. While it didn’t feel too much like a departure from what the band had been doing as Oasis, it still felt exciting and new.

This of course meant we were just waiting for Noel to come out of the woodwork with new material of his own. It took some time, but a few weeks back Noel made his official announcement of a solo career. A solo career that has already produced two albums set for release over the next year and a half or so.

Noel Gallagher - from noelgallagher.com

Last night at 1 a.m. the first of his solo material officially hit digital store shelves. The single “The Death of You and Me” is now available for purchase on his official website. I ordered both the CD single and the digital single.

The video for “The Death of You and Me” hit a few weeks ago so the song has had a few weeks to gestate in the public and from what I can tell, a lot of people are with me in their praise for his work. Again, not a big departure from what Oasis had been doing, but this is Noel Gallagher after all – how far a field did you really expect him to go.

The a-side for the single is a bit breezy and in line with some of the brighter moments of Don’t Believe the Truth. The b-side, “The Good Rebel” feels like a mid-90′s Noel fronted Oasis track. If you enjoyed the hidden moments in the “Be Hear Now” era, I think you’ll feel right at home with “The Good Rebel.”

The first full length album “Noel Gallagher’s High Flight Birds” is set for release this November and from the material I have heard up to this point, I continue to be excited to see what Noel does. It is still a good time to be an Oasis fan – even if Oasis is no more.

The concert I have been waiting a year, and in some ways nearly a lifetime for is just 24 hours away. Despite horrible traffic predictions and the possibility of severe weather, I can not wait to see U2 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

I’m some what in the nose bleed section, but I will be close enough to enjoy the action and sing along to one of my  all time favorite bands.

Oasis seemed pretty loose on stage, I’ve seen them a lost stiffer in the past but the set went well and Noel seemed to be having a good time (if not in Minneapolis in general, but at the show at least). The band also played a few songs I haven’t heard them play, at least not for a long time. The Masterplan, Slide Away and I Am the Walrus were all pulled out and let breath.

Cigarettes and Alcohol from the Target Center:

Via: Popler on YouTube.com.

The nights version of Wonderwall and Don’t Look Back in Anger were both different from what I’ve heard them do in the past, so it was nice to see those tracks get a refresher.

Ryan Adams put on a good “hits” style set, without playing “NY” which surprised me, but as someone who doesn’t get to see him that often it was nice to hear some of the songs he did play.

Matt Costa opened the show. I like his stuff, but his acoustic style doesn’t fit the Target Center well. I’d like to see him again at a smaller venue like the Varsity.

More video from the Oasis set:

• Champagne Supernova
• Supersonic
• Waiting for the Rapture
• The Importance of Being Idle
• Lyla