3 of 3 thought this review was well written1995 was the year. Grunge was dying, Britpop was born. Born strong and more stable than grunge. Oasis were at the top of 1995 and at the top of Britpop. To some, they were merely Beatles ripoffs; stealing line after line, melody after melody. To others they were the birth of what was going on in music in 1995. Their music was bright, uplifting, just really happy music. Did the music have some sort of true emotional value to it? I’d say not. Just look at
Wonderwall, the leading single on the album and by far Oasis’s most popular song. The acoustic guitar and strings create a beautiful emotional sound but look at the lyrics-
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Originally Posted by Wonderwall
Cuz maybeeeee/ You’re gonna be the one that saves meeeeeee/ and after allllllll/ you’re my wonderwallllllll.
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It’s thought as one of the defining songs of the 90's, but do the lyrics really make sense? I’m pretty sure “wonderwall" was a just a word made up to rhyme with “all". Still, Oasis don’t need lyrics that matter. It’s all in the attitude of the songs. It’s not the lyrics that define Oasis’s attitude. It’s the constant brawling between the Gallagher twins. The whiny, childish, untrained voice of Liam that fits the simpleness of the songs perfectly. The anthems like
She’s Electric that could have been written for a Disney movie (I didn’t mean that as an insult). This brings us back to the lyrics-
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Originally Posted by She’s Electric
She’s got a sister/ and God only knows how I’ve missed her/ and on the palm of her hand is a blister/ and I need more time.
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Again, no real conceptual lyrics here. But it works, meaningful lyrics are unnecessary here. This brings me to my concept of
OASISM!!!111!!!
Oasism- the concept of not making sense, but still understood by the listener.
This definition uses a bit of Oasism itself. :) For example just look at the note in the album liners-
Quote:
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Originally Posted by note
Coming down off the nova somewhere near the boiled egg that is the Royal Albert Hall, we watch Paul’s sun crossed with John’s star and hold ice cream hands. Someone slipped on a cassette as the one you wanted left with someone else but somehow it was cool because as the music filled the shadows....
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I just can never tell. Is this an attempt at poetry? Whatever it is, it always gives me a good laugh at trying to decipher this passage.
While most songs on the album follow this Oasism format, there are those songs which stick out as very strong lyrics. One song that really speaks to me is
Cast No Shadow.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Cast No Shadow
Bound with all the weight of all the words he tried to say/ Chained to all the places that he never wished to stay/ As he faced the sun he cast no shadow/ As they took his soul they stole his pride
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Enough talk about lyrics. Let’s talk about the album in general. The great thing about this album is its consistency. The album flows along smoothly from the start of
Hello, which starts with chords that will later be heard in
Wonderwall. Every song (although only 10 real songs) is strong and there is no skippable songs.
I love the transition between songs this album has to offer. Sure there are the 40 second untitled tracks of guitars drowned in effects which bring the songs together nicely. But I’m talking more about things like the outro of
Wonderwall which is also the intro to
Supersonic. The sounds of running water in the intro to
Champagne Supernova, giving a setting and atmosphere to an incredible song. Point being here, it’s the small things about this album which really define it.
Although every song is enjoyable, Here’s some songs I’d recommend you to hear if you haven’t already. I realize these are the singles. I didn’t choose these just because they were singles, I chose them because they really are the best songs to represent the album.
Wonderwall- Sure, it’s a bit overrated and overplayed at its time. But if you haven’t heard this album, this is the song that will get you hooked. It’s a ballad type song played on acoustic guitar and using a string section. The vocals may bother you a bit, but after listening to Oasis for a bit, its easy to get used to. Liam’s singing is weak in this, there are songs where his voice is much stronger. It’s one of those simple yet beautiful songs. The vocal melody is only 3 notes but the song speaks for itself. 9/10
Don’t Look Back in Anger- Probably the most Beatlesque sounding Oasis song. This is obvious as soon as you hear the piano intro which surprisingly isn’t played by Paul McCartney Even using Beatles lyrics- “I’m gonna start a revolution from my bed". All Beatles aside, it’s a great song; great singalong chorus. Noel sings on this one, and the vocals are stronger. A very emotional, uplifting, beautifully written song. 10/10
Morning Glory- Ah... Nothing like a good straight ahead rock song. With an helicopter intro leading you to think it’s a Pink Floyd song, Morning Glory hits you. Distorted leads all over the place, standard power chords. More nonsense lyrics- “All your dreams are made when you’re changed to the mirror of the razor blade". A very loveable song- great chorus as usual. Good song to start off the day and “wake you up". 10/10
Champagne Supernova- This is a classic song. One of the best of the 90's. The whole song is a buildup and lasts 7:27. Starting off with guitars barely more than a whisper, the listener isn’t quite sure where this is headed. The first two minutes of the song may simply pass by your ears at first. But the second chorus is jaw dropping. The song uses everything- a bit of accordian, guitars playing octaves; and it all sums up beautifully. The ongoing melodies of the guitars and “oh’s" soon fade back to what the song started with- barely more than a whisper. Best song on the album and probably the highlight of Oasis’s career. 10/10
Pros
-Songs are simple but beautiful
-Consistency- every song is good
-“Little Things" about it
-Good mix of ballads (Wonderwall), Rocking songs (Morning Glory), and songs that fit somewhere in between (Don’t Look Back in Anger)
Cons
No big cons to this really. I don’t know, the vocals may bother some but I don’t let them get to me. Same with lyrics. Unfortunately, most will agree that this was Oasis’s last great album from start to finish album.
Track ratings-
Hello- 9/10
Roll with It- 7/10
Wonderwall- 9/10
Don’t Look Back in Anger- 10/10
Hey Now!- 7/10
Some Might Say- 9/10
Cast No Shadow- 8/10
She’s Electric- 8/10
Morning Glory- 10/10
Champagne Supernova- 10/10
While I’m hesitant to call this album a classic, it’s an album any music fan should consider buying. I’ve heard its praise from pop-punkers, indie kids, and metalheads. If you’ve heard just one song you’ve liked from this album, you will not be disappointed by buying the album. Its simplicity invites the music 1337s and music n00bs to join together to enjoy a listen. Nobody can resist smiling and singing along with the nonsense lyrics of
She’s Electric or pick up an air guitar and jam to
Hello. The album is just pure fun. So if you think Oasis are merely Beatles ripoffs, let it be. This is just a damn good Beatles album.
