If it were any other band, a compilation album comprising of a bunch of lesser-known tracks originally bolted onto the back of early single releases would be nothing to get particularly excited about. But, of course, Oasis aren't just any band. They're the best band in the world.
Noel Gallagher ... Read review
The Masterplan - Oasis
It's often the way of rock & roll--the accidental stuff you don't sweat over often turns ... more
out to be better than the supposedly generation-defining monolith you rupture your life to expel. So it was with Oasis and their third album, Be Here Now--soaked w...
The Masterplan - Oasis
It's often the way of rock&roll--the accidental stuff you don't sweat over often turns out ... more
to be better than the supposedly generation-defining monolith you rupture your life to expel. So it was with Oasis and their third album,Be Here Now--soaked with...
A review by Spike_ on Masterplan, The - Oasis February 16th, 2005
Author's product rating:
Originality
Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics
Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks
Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Outstanding
Value for Money
Excellent
Advantages:
It's great . Nuff said .
Disadvantages:
It's not a double album .
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
If it were any other band, a compilation album comprising of a bunch of lesser-known tracks originally bolted onto the back of early single releases would be nothing to get particularly excited about. But, of course, Oasis aren't just any band. They're the best band in the world. Noel Gallagher has always maintained that a B-side is no excuse for an inferior song, it's not a place to shove the fillers when you can't be bothered to write a decent track. Whenever Oasis release a single the discussion among the fans and the industry is as much about the B-sides as it is the A-side, and with good reason. Oasis don't believe in remixes, 'radio edits' or 'dance' versions of existing songs. I've bought all of the CD singles over the years, at the time this album was released that numbered 12 altogether and, barring the occasional cover version or the odd live recording, every one of those 12 discs had four different, original songs on it. And I'll tell you something, the vast majority of them are very high quality tunes that are equally as good (some are better!) than anything you'll find on the 5 official albums. Of those 30+ B-sides , 14 of the best have been compiled together here for the benefit of those who like the band and want to hear more of them but who can't be arsed (or can't afford) to root out all of the CD singles, some of which are relatively hard to find nowadays.
First up is Acquiesce, and what a way to kick things off. This isn't just the best song on the album, it's not just the best song that Oasis have ever done, it's the best song anyone has ever done in the history of the world. Ever. I mean it, this is my all-time favourite record. It's an awesome, pumping powerhouse of a tune so single-mindedly brilliant, everyone in the world should listen to it at least once a day. Some songs can be described as 'growers' but Acquiesce is nothing of the sort, it's instant, it's unforgettable and it will have you pounding the air drums on your very first hearing. That they released this as a B-side - the third track on the Some Might Say CD single - almost beggars belief. It's mean, aggressive and exciting and yet at the same time, joyous, uplifting and triumphant.. It's a fast-paced, hard-edged rocker with the lyrics of a love song. It's just utterly glorious. Absolutely, unquestionably 10 out of 10.
Track 2 is Underneath The Sky, taken from Don't Look Back in Anger. Now this has never been one of my favourites, I don't tend to listen to it very often but after giving it an airing for the purpose of this review I found it very difficult to find fault. It's a nice, simple little pop song with thoughtful lyrics and a gentle but upbeat rhythm. Not a classic, far from it, but I still found myself singing cheerfully along (and could remember the words) even though I hadn't heard it in a long while. 6 out of 10, maybe 7 on a good day.
Talk Tonight is one of those Noel-sung acoustic pretties from the same mould as Sad Song and Take Me Away. Like its stable-mates, Talk Tonight is a gently affecting ballad that can be a startling revelation to those who are only familiar with the heavy-rock chart stuff. Its simplicity is the key, all you have is Noel's vocals over an acoustic guitar but it still carries with it considerable power without being overly sentimental. Like Acquiesce, this is also taken from the Some Might Say EP. 8/10
Noel takes the mic' again for Going Nowhere, another ballad but with full production and the rest of the band backing him up, along with a quartet of violins and some pleasant sounding French horns too. I'm very fond of this track, it's a very nicely composed song with a particularly catchy chorus.
"Here am I, going nowhere on a train Here am I, growing older in the rain…"
Coming as it does from 1997's Stand By Me EP, this is the most recent song on the album and it shows. It's one of Noel's more polished arrangements and it's performed without the raw, rough-around-the-edges sound that was a trademark of Oasis' early albums. It may be a 'grower', but it's a strong one and gets a 9 out of 10 from me.
Fade Away on the other hand is one of the very early songs and was first released on Cigarettes & Alcohol way back in '94. They used to play this one a lot at the live gigs but had to take it off the playlist because it tended to cause riots among the audience! It's an angry slice of punk-rock mayhem in the best Sex Pistols tradition and I like it very much. Liam's voice is not as developed here as it is on later tracks, he doesn't have that distinctive snarl that he does today, but Fade Away is still a great song and deserves a 7 or an 8 out of 10, depending on your mood.
If there's a weak link on this album it's this one, The Swamp Song. It's a sludgy instrumental that was first heard briefly on (What's The Story) Morning Glory in those two short, untitled tracks and was later given the full 3-minute treatment for the single release of Wonderwall. The band often use this track as a kind of warm-up session when they do a concert and it sounds fab when played live but this version is just too long, is over-produced and ultimately ends up being a bit of a noisy racket. Why it's been included here is something of a mystery, Oasis have a wealth of superior songs to choose from that would have been a much more logical addition to this album. There was even a far better song on the very same CD single (Round Are Way - one of my favourites) which would have made much more sense to include. 4/10 for The Swamp Song.
Over the years Oasis have done a number of cover versions, some are good (Street Fighting Man, My Generation), some are not so good (Helter Skelter, Heroes) but the first one was a Beatles track that Oasis have since made entirely their own - I Am The Walrus. Back in the early days this was always played as the finale to the live gigs, sometimes for a full 10 minutes. This version, which first appeared on Cigarettes & Alcohol lasts for around 7 minutes and was recorded live at the Glasgow Cathouse. It's a good song, I used to listen to it loads but it's been somewhat overshadowed in recent years by other Oasis anthems. 7/10.
The third and final track to come from Cigarettes & Alcohol is Listen Up and this, my friends, is a belter. It's a grungy, slightly rough rock and roller that in many ways reminds me of Supersonic, one of the highlights from Definitely Maybe. Listen Up though is longer, lazier and with its melancholy chorus, a great song to listen to when you've been dumped (quite frequently in my case!)
"Sailing down the river alone I've been trying to find my way back home But I don't believe in magic Life is automatic But I… don't mind… being on my own."
A solid 9/10 for this one.
Track 9, Rockin' Chair, is a very popular song among the critics and the fans, many have even listed it as one of their finest achievements but it doesn't really float my boat this one. The lyrics are quite thoughtful I suppose and it can be quite charming if you're in the mood but for my taste it's just a bit light, a bit jingle-jangle and a bit whiny. Only a 5/10 from this reviewer but then again, what do I know? You might think it's the best song they've ever done.
Next up we have two songs from the 'Whatever' CD single, which itself was something of an oddity because the A-side didn't appear on any of the albums, let alone the B-sides. You'll have heard the first one already, it's the theme tune to TV's The Royle Family and is an absolute gem. It's another one of Noel's acoustic solos and for my money is the best of the bunch. 9/10
It's Good To Be Free is another great track, even though it does sound very similar to Whatever, the song it was released alongside. Just like Whatever and Listen Up this a great song for the recently dumped. It has a fairly beefy sound to it but the pace is steady, relaxed, you could even say lazy and there's some lovely meandering guitar work over the final few bars. 8/10
Stay Young was the subject of yet another one of those 'should-have-been-the-A-side' arguments that always seems to follow the release of a single. This was track 2 on the D'you Know What I Mean? CD, the first single from Be Here Now. Personally I don't think it's that good, D'you Know What I Mean is a monster of a tune and Stay Young isn't quite as epic but still, it's a perfectly streamlined and catchy pop song that is livelier and more entertaining than many of the other tracks from Be Here Now. A solid 9/10.
Ahh now then, Headshrinker. What a tune! If, like I said earlier, Acquiesce is mean, fast paced and aggressive then Headshrinker is positively ballistic! Honestly, this track is nuts, listening to it is exhilarating and exhausting, the closest thing Oasis have ever come to full-on heavy metal. Structurally and performance wise this is very similar to Bring It On Down but, if it's possible, Headshrinker is even harder, faster and more exciting. The guitar playing is explosive, the drumming is ferocious and Liam gives his filthiest, most snarling vocals to date. Like Fade Away this song is seldom performed live because it nearly always sends the crowd dangerously loopy but this can be classed as one of Oasis' true long lost gems. It's worth noting too that this was the fourth track on the Some Might Say CD, which by my reckoning means that all three of the B-sides on this single are better than the already strong A-side. Their first number 1, in fact. How many bands can you say that about? Hmm? Fantastic. 10/10.
Finally we have The Master Plan. Remember earlier when I said Acquiesce was my favourite record of all time? Well I lied, because this one is. Actually, I can't decide which of the two I like best but either way, this is undoubtedly one of Noel's finest compositions so far. It's a sweeping, orchestral ballad with beautiful melodies and thought-provoking lyrics and has what sounds like the entire London Philharmonic playing back-up to the stirring guitars and elegant percussion. This too came off the Wonderwall CD and like so many others had many people wondering why on earth it wasn't included on (What's The Story?) Morning Glory. After the boisterous rock n roll antics of Definitely Maybe, this was one of the first tracks that really silenced the critics and made the nay-sayers take note. I personally can give you the names of several people I know, formerly sceptical of the Oasis phenomenon, who have been instantly converted to fully-fledged fans on the strength of this one song alone. It is just gorgeous. Once again, an undeniable 10 out of 10.
So there you have it. One album, 70 minutes, 14 tracks (only one of which could conceivably be described as 'weak'), and one of the biggest kept secrets in British music. Not only does it come with at least 8 or 9 really great tracks and 3 or 4 more solid ones, it's bookended by two of the very finest songs of the 1990's, two songs that are likely to appeal to almost everyone, no matter what kind of music you're into. If you've only heard the studio albums… you know, the songs that get played on the radio all the time, then you've only heard half the story. The Masterplan provides a great way of getting you up to speed on the other half, the more interesting half. And I don't just mean for the casual Oasis fan (the real fanatics will, of course, have bought all the singles anyway) but for anyone who appreciates good pop/rock/indie music and especially for those of us who are sitting out the (seemingly endless) wait for Oasis 6th album (due out in May, further delays notwithstanding).
Advantages: Some great tracks. Disadvantages: None.
...I'd point them to The Masterplan, it's brilliant. But it does beg the question why oh why were 90% of the tracks on The Masterplan only B sides? Within the 14 tracks on master plan you have some tracks that should have been up there with the likes of Wonderwall, Champagne Supernova, Rock and Roll Star, Don't Look Back in Anger and Little By Little.
Recommended.
Availability:
Amazon: £5.97 Used £4.19
HMV: £6.99 ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Excellent quality throughout, must for any fan Disadvantages: I'm trying but can't think of any - really.
The Masterplan is a collection of B-sides from the world-renowned Oasis. Released in 1998, the album was, in my opinion, one of the stronger releases from the group. The songs were recorded in the mid-90s, the band's heyday, when they still retained their swagger and exuberance which, to an extent, they have lost nowadays.
The album is 14 tracks long, and runs around 70minutes, very good value considering you can find the album for less than 'paper ... ...
[Track 1 - Acquiesce]
The album starts with 'What's The Story... Morning Glory' echoing in the background when it is awoken by a rocking riff and characteristic Oasis styling in Liam's vocals. The chorus is decent and is sung by Noel in this case. Liam takes over the verses and the song seems like it would go well with a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other. A decent opening, upbeat and appropriate. This was one of the B-sides to the ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency...
How does it compare to ...
Value for Money
very helpful
27.07.2008
Masterful album Review ofMasterplan, The - Oasisby
craigy_baby_2000
Advantages: Some great tracks, lyrics, philopsophical and moral issues raised, interesting, cheap Disadvantages: Some songs go on for too long, can be predictable
Every time I have bought an Oasis single in the past, I have always been amazed at the quality of the B-sides on each release. Quite often, in fact, I have found that they have bettered the quality of the single being released. Fans who own all the albums, can still be seen going into stores and buying import versions of the singles for £7 or £8 (bearing in mind they already own a copy of the main track), just to have a copy of the B-sides, which ... ...Oasis would be making an album of all of their best B-sides to date, I and all my friends were ecstatic and immediately reserved ourselves a copy.
The album was far better than I expected it to be even - 14 tracks of my favourite lesser-known Oasis songs, and all of them better quality than you would usually find on any of their other albums. Not only this, but because of the apparent 'lesser-quality' (which, as it turns out was a load of rubbish) ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Originality
Lyrics
Quality and consistency...
How does it compare to ...
Value for Money
very helpful
21.02.2001
(27.02.2001)
Masterclass Review ofMasterplan, The - Oasisby
nicanddarrell
Advantages: A chance to hear all of those B sides Disadvantages: A couple of tracks which are not up to the standard of the rest
When Oasis first came onto the music scene, I was a huge fan, and bought not just their albums, but also each and every CD single...I was devoted to the cause. I started to notice a pattern, the 'B' sides were as good as and sometimes better from the track that had been released, and unless you bought the single, you would never known about them. I must not have been the only one who felt like this, and especially for the benefit of people like me, ... ...Masterplan', a collection of these 'B' side tracks. There was never any doubt that The Brothers Gallagher (mostly Noel) could write cracking songs, and all this album does is strengthen that belief. They have not gone for the easy option, and only included the crowd pleasers, there are some lesser fancied tracks on the listing, and even some tracks that are less than impressive, but I think the whole point was to introduce people to these 'hidden ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Some of Oasis' best music. Disadvantages: You might already own the tracks if you've got the singles.
Okay, I know, Oasis are over, they're yesterday's band, they've been replaced by newer bands (such as Hear'Say who've used the rifts from All Around the World for their first single), but in my opinion, this CD still contains some of the best Indie tracks in existance. They're almost all good enough to be A sides, and they're certainly better than some of the filler on the albums. Track listing: 1. Acquiesce (4:24): Terrific start to the album with ... ...can only be described as an anthem. If you liked "Go Let it Out", you'll love this. 2. Underneath The Sky (3:21): Solid track, good instrumentals. For some reason, even though it's the shortest track on the CD it drags on more than any of the others. 3. Talk Tonight (4:21): A track showing the tender side of Oasis's music. Very good lyrics describing Noel's time in the emotional wilderness while they were on tour in America. 4. Going Nowhere (4:39): ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Excellent collection of B sides and unreleased tracks Disadvantages: Not for anyone who doesnt like Oasis
...As the reputation of Oasis grew and the expectation increased, they did something that not many bands choose to do. They released an album of B-sides recorded during the process of making the first 3 albums. The result was viewed by many sections of the media as a way for the bad to make a bit of extra money and rip the fans off. That maybe but the end result was far from disappointing and it turned out to be an excellent idea. Of course a few of the tracks had been heard before, but it was a chance for people who don't normally buy singles.
There are a couple of tracks on here that were quite common place before the albums release. With The Royle Families theme tune, "Half The World Away" and the excellent "Acquiesce" and album title track "The Masterplan". The rest of the album was a bit of an unknown, but they were starting to...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
...This is a double album containing 40 songs containing songs such as: 'Masterplan' by Oasis, 'Wide open space' by Mansun, 'U16 girls' by Travis and 'Hedonism' by Skunk Anansie.
It was actually produced in 1997, but still sounds just as good.
It's good value for money as it contains the best of indie music at that time, and as it was made a while ago, you can probably now get hold of it pretty cheaply.
If you're an indie fan, it also introduces a few bands you might not have heard of, but will probably like....
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: Almost everything Disadvantages: wonderwall and don't look back in anger
...This really is a good album. Don't let the singles which have been released from it put you off. I know 'don't look back in anger' and 'wonderwall' don't seem particularly good anymore, but they are only two songs. Everything else is great. There are some very catchy tunes like 'she's electric' and 'champagne supernova' but the best song off the album is 'morning glory', true british rock at it's best. You can't get much better than Noel's guitar playing and when you put it with Liam's grizzly vocals, you got something special. Oasis may have died out a couple of years ago but this album just shows how great they can be.
If your looking for a less poppy album, try 'the masterplan' it conatins some of the best Oasis songs ever, even though they are all b-sides....
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Label / Distributor: Big Brother / PIAS UK/Sony DADC
Producer: Owen Morris; Noel Gallagher
Pieces in Set: 1
Studio / Live: Mixed
Stereo: Stereo
Format: Performer
EAN: 5055019600920
Catalogue Number: RKIDCD 009
Additional notes
Album Notes: THE MASTERPLAN is a collection of Oasis B-sides of UK singles and EPs. Oasis: Noel Gallagher, Liam Gallagher, Bonehead, Alan White. Additional personnel: Paul Weller. Includes liner notes by Paul Du Noyer. After proving their staying power with 1997's BE HERE NOW, Oasis culls together b-sides and tracks which were previously available only as imports in the US on THE MASTERPLAN. This aptly titled collection fleshes out the legend, going back to older b-sides like "Fade Away" and "(It's Good) To Be Free" and newer flip-sides like "Stay Young." Opening with explosive live favorite "Acquiesce," THE MASTERPLAN will satiate the rabid completist but, with tracks as powerful as the slow-building anthem "Half the World Away," it's also sure to convert any newcomers. The ambitious (though, truth be told, not surprising) live cover choice of "I Am The Walrus" rounds out this energetic, often unexpected chapter in the story of this modern pop phenomenon.
Titles on disc 1
1.: Acquiesce
2.: Underneath The Sky
3.: Talk Tonight
4.: Going Nowhere
5.: Fade Away
6.: Swamp Song
7.: I Am The Walrus (live)
8.: Listen Up
9.: Rockin' Chair
10.: Half The World Away
11.: It's Good To Be Free
12.: Stay Young
13.: Headshrinker
14.: Masterplan
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