Arguably a controversial inclusion—it’s technically a compilation album, and those don’t tend to belong on these kinds of lists. But The Masterplan isn’t exactly your classic Best Of money grab. It’s a compilation of songs that appeared on b-sides of Oasis singles and never made it into albums in their own right. To think that the likes of “Talk Tonight”, “Half the World Away” and the titular track—a dark horse shout for their best song that would win you prompt respect among committed fans—were initially deemed worthy of no more than a lowly b-side is somewhat alarming re the band’s taste in their own music, but their collection and release here is the kind of comeback we’re all hoping lies just down the parka-paved road to the reunion tour.
2) Definitely Maybe
Oasis’s debut album is a rocket-fuelled bid for megastardom that starts as it means to go on with “Rock ‘n’ Roll Star” and then just… well, it goes on. Through “Live Forever”’s fantastically straight-faced claim to invincibility, through the ever-advancing sound walls of “Supersonic” and “Cigarettes and Alcohol” and through the comedown soothe of “Slide Away” and the little fun one to finish, “Married With Children”. Half of Oasis’ fans will say it simply has to be their best ever.
1) (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?
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The other half will say this is. Noel Gallagher said Definitely Maybe was about the experience of wanting to be a rock star, and Morning Glory was about becoming one. Gotta tell ya, it sounds like a lot of fun. Opening track “Hello” cheekily begins with a fake into “Wonderwall” before throwing the smash hit’s acoustic vulnerability further down the album with a series of angry declarations smooshed through its distorted electric twang. Then there is, of course, “Wonderwall”, the first half of an exceptional one-two punch with “Don’t Look Back in Anger”, more tricksy fun on “She’s Electric” and then one of the most perfect songs to end an album with that I or you or anyone else did ever hear with the soaring “Champagne Supernova”. It’s what an album’s supposed to be. It’s a wild ride. Hang on.
This story originally appeared in British GQ.
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