Having just started a new job, my life is unexpectedly chaotic. I'll resume writing on Ciao as soon ...
Having just started a new job, my life is unexpectedly chaotic. I'll resume writing on Ciao as soon as possible. http://members.lycos.co.uk/ich schmatze
Member since:19.11.2000
Reviews:256
Members who trust:129
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 have never previously been released. So when I heard that 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) B-side tracks filling up the album, the CD was sold at just £8.99 and the cassette at just £5.99 on release, making it a bargain for consumers.
However, due to the fact that there are usually 3 B-side tracks per CD single, all of them special and beautiful in their own way, I knew that there were going to be some tracks which had been left off my favourite list, considering how many singles they have released in their time. This was, unfortunately the case, although nevertheless there are some exceptional tracks on the album.
The booklet that comes with it is fairly average picture-wise - studio shots of the band and pictures of elderly people in classrooms are the only pictures you find in the booklet, (trying to emphasise the point that young people have valid
points to make as well as elder,) although there are complete lists of lyrics inside, and each track clearly states which A-side accompanied itself which are both helpful and enjoyable to look at. There is also a very long but interesting foreword by Paul Du Noyer in the front cover, explaining why each track was chosen for the album.
The songs are very similar in style, a mix of Indie and Britpop is all that fills the album, although with each song representing a different mood or emotion, there is enough variation to hold attention throughout the 14 tracks of pure gold material. The lyrics should be closely observed too - the philosophical issues raised within each song are certainly something worth considering.
Here is a brief review of each of the tracks:
1. Acquiesce from 'Some Might Say' - A rather bizarre introduction leads into one of the most popular B-sides ever recorded by the band. A very strong rocky feel song, with a catchy yet irritating chorus about inner qualities of friendship raises interesting issues and questions in the listeners mind. Slightly over-repeats itself towards the end as most Oasis songs tend to do which spoils it.
2. Underneath The Sky from 'Don't Look Back In Anger' - A song which sounds more pop-py than most, this song adopts a style which is a mixture of the Stereophonics and the Beatles; a strange mix, but one that the band seems to have used to their own advantage. More of a story than a song, the track tells of everyone's relationship with a storyteller who sits underneath the sky, hence the name of the track.
3. Talk Tonight from 'Some Might Say' - An accoustic and generally more relaxed song, with chord progressions not unlike those used in 'Wonderwall' is the third offering from Oasis on this album. A simple enough song, with yet another catchy chorus and guitar part, which can unfortunately only be considered as a great filler.
4. Going Nowhere from 'Stand By Me' - The opening reminded me of Burt Bacharach with the trumpets and descending scales, although the strings and guitars which are added after a few seconds gives this song much more of a distinctive Oasis feel. A song that is perhaps predictable in its cadences, and involves far too many '7' chords, although otherwise enjoyable.
5. Fade Away from 'Cigarettes and Alcohol' - Ironically loud and fast in its opening few chords, this '94 track is upbeat and lively whilst still managing to be interesting and makes some interesting points in their lyrics. Another track, though, which uses predictable chords unfortunately.
6. The Swamp Song from 'Wonderwall' - A wailing voice which is held over a number of chords is the only way to describe this track. An instrumental, essentially as there are no lyrics to the song, this track is strangely addictive after listening through it a few times, although certainly original and considered to be rather weak at first.
7. I Am The Walrus (Live) from 'Cigarettes and Alcohol' - Originally the Lennon/McCartney Beatles' song, this track has been given a bit of a shake-up with the heavy guitar and drums which shape the track into a completely different song from the original. A rather long and extended track that could have been cut slightly shorter in my opinion, although certainly not a bad song in any respect.
8. Listen Up from 'Cigarettes and Alcohol' - A great percussional intro which continues throughout the track as a continuous foundation for the other aspects of the record is the main focal point of this track, besides a fantastic bridge before each chorus. Another long track at over 6 minutes, although I feel that this is more just than the previous track, developing substantially throughout the track.
9. Rockin' Chair from 'Roll With It' - A fade-in, very rare in records is found at the start of this track, as a metaphor for the name of the track. Based upon an elderly person whose opinions have been kept within, this very pleasant though minor tune is really moving and involving as well as being good listening.
10. Half The World Away from 'Whatever' - Considered to be one of the most popular tracks now after the huge success of 'The Royle Family' (this is the theme tune to the show), this fantastic mix of accoustic and catchy tunes seems almost strange to listen to after hearing it so often on the TV, although it has become one of my favourite tracks as it develops very subtlely throughout its short life into a stronger track before calming down for the end. A slow song, although interesting and entertaining enough to withhold itself.
11. (It's Good) To Be Free from 'Whatever' - The Mancunian quintet spring back to rock stardom with this more powerful track which is bizarrely easy-listening despite the thick timbre. An interesting track, although nothing more than a B-side disappointingly, but the accordion solo at the end, which is unexpected is a real treat.
12. Stay Young from 'D'You Know What I Mean' - A really up-beat and enjoyable song with a rather strained but instantly likeable chorus gives Oasis another of their well-loved optimistic feeling tracks. Watch out for a great riff which occurs towards the end of the song.
13. Headshrinker from 'Some Might Say' - The penultimate song on the album starts off with a very 'Status Quo'y' feel which is maintained with a fast tempo and loveably repetitiveness. Although there is no chorus, there is a constant movement in the song and a great riff (again) which is midway through the song.
14. The Masterplan from 'Wonderwall' - The first time I heard this song, I cried. I have never cried at another song since (at anything actually), but this accoustic piece of genius is by far the best song ever written by Oasis and one of the best in the world, in my opinion. One of the most philisophically interesting songs on the album, it deals with moral issues and how we are all part of a masterplan with many routes to take in life. A pure piece of genius.
For such a price and with so many classic tracks from one of the best bands of the 90's, I would definitely recommend everyone get this excellent album. Although there are some tracks that are mediocre with predictable chords and boring cadences, there are some really classic moments on the album which make up some of the best works of a great band.
If you are not into Britpop or Indie, then this may not be the album for you, although if you love songs that have meaning and a certain quality within them, then this album is for you. A real classic that I would recommend to all.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
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...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: Nearly all songs great, cheap, some records hard to get hold of before now available Disadvantages: Lack of promotion, WHY werent some tracks A-Sides?
Feb 21st, 2001
(Feb 27th, 2001)
very helpful by (100%):
![River Is Wide, The [Remastered] - Forum (The)](http://imagesb.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/small/251/prod_small-6006251.jpg)
