The new Oasis single: First impressions

The array of expletive-filled, Coldplay-bashing and astoundingly arrogant soundbites from the brothers Gallagher in recent weeks can only mean one thing: Oasis have a new album to promote. Their comeback single, 'The Shock Of The Lightning', aired for the first time on Radio 1 this morning and we've had it on full blast ever since.

Noel's admitted that the track took just 10 minutes to write and it's all too easy to believe that. 'Lightning' features those two staples of any Oasis single - the Beatles nod ("A magical mystery") and the slightly strained rhyming couplet ("time machine / silver screen") - but there's also a hint of spirituality, which is said to be a recurring theme on their upcoming Dig Out Your Soul LP. This is most notable when Liam hollers: "So Godspeed to the sound of the poundin', I'm all into the blindin' light."

Musically, it's entirely what we'd expect from Oasis in 2008: hammering drums, fierce guitars and plenty of OTT '60s psychedelia. Liam's voice sounds like it's been put through several computer programmes but his cocky sneer still shines through and hopefully his larynx will be in fine fettle again come the autumn tour. There's nothing original or remotely groundbreaking about 'Lightning', and of course it's nowhere near as good as anything off Definitely Maybe. But Oasis, now in their 30s and 40s, still know how to make a might fine racket.

What do you think of 'The Shock Of The Lightning'? Should Oasis pack it all in, or is this a return to form? Use the space below to have your say.