Noel Gallagher on his own after Oasis

In the tumultuous Britpop tornado known as Oasis, Noel Gallagher was the calm one. So it's no surprise that he offers exactly what's expected from him on "Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds" (Mercury). Beatles-esque jangle? Yes. Sing-along choruses? Of course. He picks up the tempo on "AKA . . . What a Life!" but doesn't stray too far from his melodic comfort zone, while the psychedelic-leaning "Record Machine" could have come from any Oasis album. "High Flying Birds" is comfortingly familiar, but also a bit underwhelming.

'NOEL GALLAGHER'S HIGH FLYING BIRDS'

THE GRADE B

BOTTOM LINE Britpop that's steady as ever