NOEL 2 (Heathen Chemistry) - Noel Gallagher (2001)

NOEL 2 - Noel Gallagher (2001)
IN ANOTHER LIFE…
After the immediate success of his first solo album (Standing On The Shoulders of Giants) in 1999, Noel embarked on his first solo world tour. It was during this tour that Noel wrote the majority of his material for his 2nd album, aptly titled NOEL 2, often referred to as ‘2’. He’s later stated it to be the least productive time of his life, struggling with his relationship with Meg, struggling to adjust to his new life after the tornado of Oasis had ended and being under constant assault from his brother in the media.
The album was originally titled Heathen Chemistry - before a last minute change to the title ‘NOEL 2’. Traces of the original title can be found on the label of the LP version, which reads “We are Heathen Chemists.”
The first single for the album, Little By Little went straight to number 2 in the UK, his highest charting solo single at that point. The follow up, She Is Love, garnered a lot of criticism from Oasis fans and the UK media, however, the song faired considerably better in America. With a big promotional push the song made it to number 29 on the billboard charts, and became Noel’s most successful song in the states, besides Wonderwall. The final single was a double A-Side with “The Hindu Times” and “Stop Crying Your Heart Out”, which reached number 1 in the UK charts, making it Noel’s first solo number 1 single.
Despite the singles and album’s emphatic commercial successes they garnered considerable criticism from the critics, especially in Noel’s home country of England. The album was argued as “forced and trite” by The Observer, and stated it was “finally the end of Gallagher’s time in the sun.” However, the albums fans have always been very passionate and vocal about the merits of ‘2’. More recently a critical reappraisal has found it climbing higher and higher in peoples rankings of Gallagher album’s.
Upon being interviewed by NME Noel stated “It’s the tricky second album; sometimes I listen to it and I think ‘Fuck, that’s the best thing I’ve ever made’, other times I stick it on and I’m asleep by the 20 minute mark.. it depends on the day.”
1. The Hindu Times 0:00
2. Force of Nature 4:55
3. She Is Love 8:16
4. You’ve Got The Heart of A Star 11:38
5. The Cage (Part 1) 16:52
6. Little By Little 19:36
7. Just Getting Older 24:09
8. The Cage (Part 2) 27:26
9. Idler’s Dream 29:10
10. Stop Crying Your Heart Out 32:00
This is a fan remix, I do not own the rights to these songs.

[@DanielRed2]

The Hindu Times demo is one of the best 'lost' Oasis tracks ever.

[@fshoaps]

The Hindu Times studio track has become underrated due to this sentiment. It's as if people hate the Beatles/Stones sound that Oasis Mark 2 had.

[@catchingshadows23]

Love what you've done with this and the SOTSOG one too. Looking forward to hearing "NOEL 3" 👍

[@mysteriousM8]

Always loved Noels Hindu Times thought those lyrics were far cooler, idlers dream is also a very underrated oasis tune. Nice video man

[@joeverecondi8096]

Pleaseeee try and reupload the first album edit somewhere

[@boxingjerapah]

Well played. Great listen.

[@JHtube123]

Totally forgot about Idlers Dream...what a nice tune

[@theyearsshallrun6641]

This is superb. Highlights how strong Noel’s more introverted stuff was during this era. Where did you find all the alt versions?

[@tylersims6937]

Fuuuck me... entirely off a cliff...of the grand canyon. "Getting Older" was/is(?) is! Definitely IS such a cool song. I remember being young and vaguely fun, if not occasionally cool, even if nobody else thought so, that was one of my weekend warrior fuckin jams. I loved it with every fiber, cell and pore of my..self.
Now i remember just how and why.
Peace and respect to everyone else who's the same..or even those cunts what aint(the same).

[@richardcranium2581]

Never heard acoustic versions of HC songs

[@indianagent47]

Love this, though Shout it Out Loud should've also made the cut. Can't wait for Noel DBTT and DOYS

[@mctv7416]

Where did you get these? What changes have you done to remix them?

[@RichardJames12]

This version of SCYHO, wow. What’s this from?

[@denniszielstra8047]

Force of nature sound dirty as f*ck, great work!!

[@NoelGallagher69]

Now I'm just wondering what b-sites would he have left on Little by Little and She is love single.

[@Mag1cal_Girl_Zombie]

I hope made 3rd solo with DBTT era songs.

[@Camostealth]

What’s the ending instrumental called? I think I remember hearing it in some Be Here Now era stuff, but I can’t remember now.

[@Camostealth]

Found it, it’s called “Trip Inside (Be Here Now) - Mustique Demo” if anyone is also looking.

[@stephennichols9737]

Got a bit of a stoner rock drone vibe kinda .......meh its a good tune

[@LaurenceNoonan]

Wicked record, would’ve removed she is love for about it out loud

[@badgasaurus4211]

Not as strong as the previous imaginary album. Heathen Chemistry is definitely the ugly duckling of Oasis albums

[@Guido.Fawkes.1]

No way! H.C. is a great album!

[@waltercoyle6393]

@@Guido.Fawkes.1 Nope.

[@badgasaurus4211]

@@Guido.Fawkes.1 Songbird and Stop Crying Your Heart Out are the only great songs. Little By Little and Hindu Times are serviceable but Oasis by the numbers, done better before (Don’t Look Back in Anger and any bluesy rock number from Definitely Maybe). The rest is duff. Born On a Different cloud has excellent lyrics but is marred by a shocking mix, much like the rest of the album. It’s all forgettable stuff beyond the singles

[@Guido.Fawkes.1]

@@badgasaurus4211 I totally disagree, but to each their own.

[@cleftturnip7774]

I think you're in the minority there pal.

[@stonesthrow420]

Imagine this being Track #1 on "Be Here Now"......lol......peoples brains would have exploded!