Review Summary: Excellent EP that captures Oasis at their peak
Is it 1996 again? Oasis seems to be fighting for the top place on the charts and Liam's voice sounds
god like, at least on the albums. Well, it's not exactly 1996, but it's about as damn close you could get if you're an Oasis fan. Along with Stop The Clocks, an EP was released covering two well known B-Sides and 2 tracks dug out of the vaults.
Acquiesce-
Quite simply, one of the best tunes Oasis have put out. Like it has been said many times before, it's hard to comprehend how and why Noel thought of the brilliant idea to push it onto Some Might Say's B-Side. The tune could easily pass as a No.1 A-Side, back in 1996 or now 10 years later. Like most Oasis songs of that time, the only thing that could get over the roaring guitars would be Liam's voice belting out lines like "I don't know how to wake the things that sleep inside". Liam isn't the only one singing, Noel comes in for the soaring chorus of "Cause we need each other, we believe in one another". A classing, enduring song.
Cigarettes and Alcohol(Demo)-
This was originally featured on an NME compilation tape sometime in the early 90s. For anyone that has heard the original song, the difference is clear when Liam first comes in. Instead of the raspy, alcohol drive voice we know, his voice is actually quite clear and sounds
brilliant. His now famous bit of "Sunshiiiieeeenah" is first being born here. As for the rest of time, it basically sounds like the original, but slowed down. Bongos added during the first solo is a nice touch.
Some Might Say(Live;Venue Unknown)-
Actually discovered to be from a Japanese show in the early 90s, it's easy to hear from this track why Oasis was such a phenomenon. Not only were their album's brilliant, but their live shows were filled with a passion few bands can reach, or even comprehend, in this day. Opening with the fading echo of Noel introducing the song("This next ones called Some Might Say...say...say...") , the band is in top form. The song itself is pure pop bliss, with what was then typical of an Oasis song at the time. Full on distorted guitars, Liam's lion like roar of a voice, and Noel's catchy and memorable melodies and lyrics.
The Masterplan-
Liam wishes he had sung this song. Noel must love gloating the fact that he, not only wrote it, but sang on it as well. The Masterplan is yet another crowing achievement of Oasis, another "Why was this a B-Side?" track that is a must listen. Noel's lone acoustic guitar comes in soft and soothingly, with a gradual slide in of a single violin and the picking of a clean, electric guitar. From the start, you can tell this will be an
epic song. Noel starts the verse softly, with the song suddenly blowing up the giant explosion of the glorious, sing a long chorus that Oasis champion to this day. Building up tension is a backwards guitar solo with Noel proclaiming all to "say it loud, sing it proud today". Then it falls back into the 2nd verse this time with even more guitars, then exploding again to the chorus. This is a song to live by, this is truly one of the greatest songs ever written.
This EP captures Oasis at their peak and flaunts it like the Gallagher always do. B-Sides that sound like A-Sides? Powerful demos and larger then life live shows? It seems almost impossible that all of this could of came from one simple band. But, it did. This is Oasis that no one an deny the greatness of, the Oasis that people build their hopes and dreams on. Then again, it's all part of the masterplan...
