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Oasis:The Greatest Band of the 90's

In the U.S., Oasis is a one hit wonder, known only for the song Wonderwall.  This is a huge shame, since Oasis is undoubtedly the best band of their era.  Most critics would disagree, citing Nirvana, which was monumentally influential, or Pavement, which was consistently brilliant in every facet (except singing in tune), as better options.

Certainly, it's easy to write off Oasis.  There's a litany of issues with the band's music: Noel wrote terrible lyrics, Liam doesn't have a traditionally good voice, and the other band members were mediocre at best.  All of that doesn't matter.  A great artists needs to do three things and three things only:
  1. Write great tunes.
  2. Sing them effortlessly.
  3. Believe 100% in the music.
Oasis in the mid-90's had all of the above in spades.  Noel, without any assistance, wrote the best set of tunes this side of the Beatles, and Liam sang those tunes with a power and verve that made him one of the best rock vocalist of his generation.  They defined an era in the UK (there's a reason Tony Blair invited Noel to No. 10 Downing Street after his election), and they are a large part of the reason why the Brits still care about guitar rock in a way America simply doesn't.

(Also, just one more reason to like Oasis: Noel Gallagher sold his home in Ibiza located near James Blunt because he "Can't stand living there in the knowledge that Blunt is nearby making terrible music.")

Now, go listen to some Oasis.  Trust me, it'll be time well spent.  Sit back and let the grandeur wash over you.  If you would like an idea of where to start, here a bit about each of their albums:
  1. Definitely Maybe: The most consistently great set of songs that Oasis ever managed, played with a swagger that they never recaptured. Live Forever, Supersonic, and Slide Away are particularly amazing.  Rating: 10.0
  2. (What's the Story) Morning Glory: Oasis' most famous and most successful album for good reason. It's far more varied sonically than Definitely Maybe and contains the most famous of Oasis' songs.  Everyone rightfully knows Wonderwall, Don't Look Back in Anger, and Champagne Supernova. Rating: 10.0
  3. Be Here Now: It unfortunately has the reputation of being a bloated mess, but, once pared down and re-sequenced, it's even better than the first two.  I Hope, I Think, I Know and b-side Going Nowhere are among the best songs Noel's ever written.  Rating: 7.6
  4. Standing on the Shoulder of Giants: More or less garbage.  Noel didn't care at this point and it shows.  He somehow manages one moments of brilliance, though: Go Let It Out.  Rating: 6.6
  5. Heathen Chemistry: Probably their best late era album.  A bit soulless and inconsistent, but there are a couple really good songs.  Stop Crying Your Heart Out and b-side Idler's Dream are the standouts. Rating: 7.9
  6. Don't Believe the Truth: Their In Rainbows/All That You Can't Leave Behind.  A back to basics return to form.  Consistently listenable but consistently unremarkable.  Rating: 7.5
  7. Dig Out Your Soul: Essentially a somewhat worse version of Don't Believe the Truth. Rating: 6.6

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