This first-hand account of the Be Here Now tour, though not as artfully written as Hewitt's other Oasis book, is still entertaining and occasionally enlightening. It takes the form of short notes jotted down by the author throughout the tour, chronicling the interesting incidents between shows, and all the drama and chaos within the band (of which there is plenty!). The short, clipped style of the anecdotes breaks up the continuity of the text somewhat, leaving the reader with the sense of looking through someone's notebook rather than a polished piece of writing, but this also makes it easy to look up particular events without having to hunt through a long, continuous chapter.
The stress the band was under at the time comes across palpably in the book, the carefree triumphant attitude of years past showing some strain as backlash against the third album reared its head. We see Noel struggling for meaning in the highly superficial world of pop music, trying to find something more to search for now that he has every material possession he ever dreamed of, his confidence destablised by petty sniping from the press. We see an alternately vulnerable and vicious Liam barely coping with the demands being made on him from every person and organisation he comes in contact with, not sure whether anyone he meets genuinely cares about him or simply wants to squeeze the lifeblood out of him for their gain. It is a remarkable thing indeed that the band did not break up on this tour.
The author for the most part avoids making interpretations or speculations about the deeper thoughts and motives of the people he is observing, though this is clearly due to a sense of loyalty, rather than a lack of insight. This is a good portrait of a top-notch band stepping up to the chasm of destruction, peering over the edge, giving the God of Chaos a two-fingered salute, and leaving failure behind for lesser bands to wallow in.
The stress the band was under at the time comes across palpably in the book, the carefree triumphant attitude of years past showing some strain as backlash against the third album reared its head. We see Noel struggling for meaning in the highly superficial world of pop music, trying to find something more to search for now that he has every material possession he ever dreamed of, his confidence destablised by petty sniping from the press. We see an alternately vulnerable and vicious Liam barely coping with the demands being made on him from every person and organisation he comes in contact with, not sure whether anyone he meets genuinely cares about him or simply wants to squeeze the lifeblood out of him for their gain. It is a remarkable thing indeed that the band did not break up on this tour.
The author for the most part avoids making interpretations or speculations about the deeper thoughts and motives of the people he is observing, though this is clearly due to a sense of loyalty, rather than a lack of insight. This is a good portrait of a top-notch band stepping up to the chasm of destruction, peering over the edge, giving the God of Chaos a two-fingered salute, and leaving failure behind for lesser bands to wallow in.
