The first time I heard Oasis was Live Forever on a random music magazine's sampler disc. I really couldn't stand it, as it was a very whiny annoying song. I wrote them off as just another band, and went on my way.
After a while, I started hearing a lot about them. People were talking. I continued to resist because now I just thought they were trendy. Oh, the trendy thing to do, let's all like Oasis. Whatever. I mean, who the hell names their band Oasis? What a dumbass name.
Then, Morning Glory came out, and I have to admit I was interested. I still hadn't heard any music by them, but there was definite hype surrounding them. The little rivalry between them and Blur had popped up, and I was still, personally more interested in Blur (even though they had also gone that nasally whiny Britrock style, too) When the little competition between their singles happened, and Oasis won, I finally broke down and bought their album.
Mind you, all this time, the only thing I had heard by Oasis was that one song, Live Forever. That was it. So, when I bought the album, and played it through, by the end of it I was dumbstruck, shellshocked, bowled-over by the absolute magnificence of this album. It is TRULY LEGENDARY, and will be for a very long time. If they don't get inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame for this album alone, I would be absolutely shocked.
The best part about the release of this album was the singles and all of their b-sides. That is what I've compiled here, as Disc Two of the (WTS)MG? album. All the b-sides in one spot as not just a companion to the original release, but equally part of the album. I feel that a lot of the tracks on the b-sides were better than album tracks.
My wife and I, before we got married, took a little vacation in Chicago for 3-4 days one autumn, shortly after the release of this album. To cruise through the streets of such a magnificent city, listening to Morning Glory and Champagne Supernova back-to-back, is quite exhilarating. Music rocking, one hand on the wheel, the other holding her hand. Love Love Love.
I still think Oasis is a stupid band name.
The first song I ever herd by Oais was the demo version of Fade Away on a Select Cassette, they had not released anything at that point and I liked the tune but the lyrics bothered me, actually scared me a bit because that was how I was feeling at the time. That said, I forgot all about them as they began to get airplay, I really did not connect with Live Forever and was not fond of Supersonic, when it came out, I thought they sounded derivative and a bit like Cracker. Then the local radio started playing Some Might Say and something changed. I really looked forward to that song. Then one day before the album got released proper I got the promo single of Wonderwall, which had not been released proper yet. And that was it... I loved Wonderwall because it is a song you can really sing along with and not feel that Liam is singing better than you. From then on I was a fan. Saw them that year in Berkeley, they even had on on stage fight and Noel had to sing Wonderwall, it was a short but sweet set. Fond memories of my college days... BTW Bonehead's Bank Holiday was actually on the album proper on vinyl. I think when I collected the b-sdes on a tape I also included the slow version of Fade Away from the Help compilation. And yes this is their best record/era.
ReplyDeleteThumbs up.
DeleteSimilar story, first album passed me by. Then I heard Slide Away and thought "interesting".
ReplyDeleteHeard Morning Glory track in Bournemouth University student bar, blown away.
In the UK, though, Country House DID pip them to No. 1 in the singles chart.
Mind you, if they'd released anything else off Morning Glory than Roll With It there would have been no contest.
Went into a chippie the other day, Liam Gallagher was serving. Asked for fish and chips, he said, "Do you want a roll with it?" :-)