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, and also the American market in 1998, Oasis released 'The 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 tracks'. I don't think it will have won over anyone who was not a fan already as there is nothing too different.
My favourite track is the opener. 'Acquiesce' should have been released as a single, as it blows the likes of 'Whatever' out of the water. It is an amazing track sung live, but it loses none of it's magic on CD. Noel takes over the chorus after Liam's rousing verses, and this is where Oasis are best, when the brothers share the load and work off each other. It is here we hear bits of 'Morning Glory'. The lyrics here are Noel at his best, with gems such as "I
dunno what it is that makes me feel alive, I don't know how to wake the things that sleep inside".
'Underneath The Sky' could never live up to the opening the album had, and it is unfair, as in it's own right it is a good song.It is a music lovers song rather than one for the lyricists among you. Liam's vocals are not as raw as you are used to, and the passion just is not there, and I think when the band don't give their all to a song, it is hard for the fans to love it, and with this song, there is not a hook. All said though, it is a nice mellow track to take us into what is an amazing song.
'Talk Tonight' is legendary in our house. We once saw Noel Gallagher sing it live whilst supporting Paul Weller, and it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end from the initial strumming on the guitar to the very last note. It haunts you, and the words come across so powerfully, even though it is Noel on his own with only an acoustic guitar for company. Every word has meaning, and my favourite line is "I Wanna Talk Tonight, 'bout how you saved my life". It has so much meaning to me personally, and it has really made me wonder who Noel wrote this one for.
'Going Nowhere' is probably my least favourite song on the CD. It has a very orchestral feel to it, and the opening bars sound like Gabrielle is going to start warbling out of your speakers, and whilst the instrumental worked well on 'Wonderwall', I am not so keen on it here. It is just background music, that is instantly forgotten, even though at times there are hints of the Oasis I love, but they disappear as quickly as they appeared, so the title of this song is more apt than they ever thought.
Luckily, my mood is quickly lifted by the brilliant 'Fade Away'. It is from the 'Definitely Maybe' time, and it is very much like the songs on that album, loud, brash and proud. In a way, this track shows how naive the band were when they first started out, as they just wanted to play music that they liked and weren't bothered how commercial it was. This is Liam telling everyone that he always knew what he wanted to be, and he got there, but there are so many people in his position who lets their dreams fade away.
'The Swamp Song' has one of the best openings of an Oasis song, a belting mouth organ, which is quickly followed up by adrenalin filled drumming. There are no lyrics, as the only purpose of this song was to open live shows, and give Liam something to walk on to, and whip the crowd into a frenzy before the 'real' music began. This is an instrumental which just oozes attitude, and it gives the rest of the band the chance to show what they are capable of, and they are not there just to make Liam look good.
A live track next, and an amazing one to boot. A classic drug induced Beatles song is given the Oasis treatment. 'I Am The Walrus'. Oasis even made these mad lyrics sound like they were written to make sense. Liam delivers lines such as "I am the egg man, we are the egg men, I am the Walrus" which his usual cockiness and vigour, that anyone who dares to say "I knew they were just Beatles impersonators" risks being attacked by the masses. I have to admit that I much prefer this version to the original.
'Listen Up' is another early track, but it stands out because lyrically it is brilliant, and Liam's voice is not straining to be heard over the guitars. It just has a more delicate feel to it, and a self belief that should not have been so present so early on. Even the times when Liam's voice seems to struggle just adds to the feel of the song. From something so promising, it is disappointing that we then move onto 'Rockin Chair'. I just detest this song. Liam tries to be Noel, singing words that he does not mean, and it just does not work. Move on quickly.
Like The Royle Family? Then you will have heard 'Half The World Away'. We are back to familiar ground again. Noel singing words that mean so much, and he means them, or at least that is how it sounds. A lot of reviewers have criticised this as being too mainstream, but I have to disagree. It is lighthearted and Noel just breezes through it. We are quickly back to Liam's roar with the amazing 'It's Good To Be Free'. This is another B side which deserved a single release, as the lyrics are mindblowing, and the melody is just perfect. Whenever I listen to this, the image of Liam holding court on stage springs to mind.
'Stay Good' was the only track that I was not familiar with on this CD, and that is probably because this is when I thought Oasis were going downhill a bit, and my enthusiasm for them was waning a little, and in a way I can see why, as this is just so poor. It is like they have done this track as a joke. It just has nothing that can redeem it. Skip forward pleas to 'Headshrinker'. My husband always says that this song reminds him of me!! I am not sure that this is necessarily a good thing. An example of some of the lyrics are "Got no shame and I feel no shame". I am sure the song is about one night stands!! What does that say about us????
Then finally we have the title track 'The Masterplan'. I cannot think of a more fitting ending to this excellent CD. It is just one of those songs that makes you exhale, and feel really good about life. The lyrics are a pure joy because they are just so simple.
This is a album that is a must for all Oasis fans, and I would say to you fans out there, please play this for all the non believers out there, and convert them to the church of Oasis.
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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: Some great tracks, lyrics, philopsophical and moral issues raised, interesting, cheap Disadvantages: Some songs go on for too long, can be predictable
craigy_baby_2000 21.02.2001 (27.02.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Masterplan, The - Oasis
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?
Sep 26th, 2002
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