OASIS - OASIS UNVEIL NEW ALBUM

OASIS' new album will finally hit the shops in May (05), more than 18 months after the band began work on it.

Last July (04) the four-piece postponed the release of the follow-up to 2002 LP HEATHEN CHEMISTRY until at least February 2005 after scrapping their collaboration with producers DEATH IN VEGAS because they were unhappy with what they had created.

Songwriter NOEL GALLAGHER has since spoken of the group's "frustrating and fruitless" attempts to complete the album.

But Gallagher insists the disc is finally finished - and he's pleased with the result, which he claims is inspired by BOB DYLAN and THE BEATLES.

He says, "The finished album is my favourite one of the last four. Because we're all contributing to the songwriting there's a different feel to it. In fact the only songs that sound like Oasis are ANDY BELL'S (bassist) funnily enough.

"I've been listening to a lot of Bob Dylan last year, Liam was obviously some guy who used to be in a band in Liverpool, "Gem's a very rock and roll. Andy's just sound like Oasis, which is great."