Oasis are, and always were, the band of the 90's. Travis were tired of the 90's, well this band showed that the 90's had at least one good thing. Coming onto the scene in 1994 with their stunning debut album "Definitely Maybe", this heralded the birth of a rare talent nowadays, which is a band with some talent. Songs such as "Supersonic", "Shakermaker", "Live Forever" and "Cigarettes & Alcohol" showed the world that Oasis meant business.
Christmas of 1994 saw the release of a single which is, to date, in my opinion, their finest work, "Whatever". This was followed in 1995 with the release of their second album "(Whats The Story) Morning Glory?". This was the band at their apparent peak(unless standards RAPIDLY increase), with the blistering entrance tune, "Hello", followed up by the now anthemic "Roll With It". Other classics, such as "Wonderwall", "Don't Look Back In Anger", "Some Might Say" and "Champagne Supernova" becoming rock anthems in their own right.
Now the slide begins.
Oasis have always been split with bitter in fighting and the all to public fall outs and walk outs between the two Gallacher brothers. A series of walk outs in concerts across North America seriously dented any hopes they harboured of conquering all, just like their Beatle friends did 30 years previously. The release of "Be Here Now" in 1997 didn't help either. The much hyped release of this album meant that the millions of Oasis fans were expecting a masterpiece. This wasn't a bad album as such, it just wasnt Oasis quality. The first single to be released, "D'ya Know What I Mean", just didn't cut it with the British public or, for that matter, many of the fans, although I dont speak for everyone on this matter. Higher points on the album are seen in "Stand By Me", "All Around The World", "Magic Pie", and the rousing rendition of "Be Here Now". It just wasn't the same though..........
The lack of new material led to the band releasing a collection of the best b-sides an a single album, "The Masterplan" was seen as a holding album for the much awaited 5th album, which would surely be seen as the acid test for the band, struggling to keep in fighting private. The walking out of Paul McGuigan and Paul Arthurs didn't help matters much, but the expectations were, as before, placed too high. Much was expected of the much rested band, and their new album needed to reach all expectations.
It didn't.
Once again the pole was just set too high for the band, and it was all too apparent that the strain of song writing was showing in Noel Gallaghers work. Gone, hopefully not forever, are the days of b-sides matching the quality of the a-sides, and this new album was a major dissapointment to the fans, and meat and drink to the many critics of the band. "Go Let It Out" is one of the few high points of this album, with "Who Feels Love?", "Sunday Morning Call" and "Where Did It All Go Wrong" only receiving pass marks. Some of the music on the album doesn't deserve the time of day, would "Little James" have merited a place on the Definitely Maybe track listing? I think you know the answer to that.
Well, what does the future hold for Oasis? New logo, new sound, new attitude to music? Lets hope they can get back to the standards of old. I don't know about you, but all I can say is........
Let's start crossing those fingers.