Brit pop, indie music and music in general was in the doldrums 93-94, it needed a boost and this was that.
Late 1993 and Radio 1 got hold of Columbia and gave it some airplay which was loved by music listeners across the board and this only wetted peoples appetites for what was coming in the summer of 94.
Supersonic was released in April 94, Shakermaker in June 94 and then Live Forever and the album itself released in August 94.
It debuted at number 1 in its opening week selling 100,000 copies in four days and was for a time the fastest selling UK debut album of all time.
Here's my take on the songs that changed my life!
Rock and Roll Star; The greatest album opener of all time, scintillating is how Im going to describe this song. Simple yet creative, a new sound, a sound that would become synonymous with Oasis, loud, in your face and standing out head and shoulders above everything else available at the time. The guitar intro is great and the drums kick in before the now iconic opening lyric "I live my life in the cityyyyyyyy and there's no easy way out". The sunshineeeeeeee also gets a first Oasis mention here. Outlandish, brazen and Oasis. Tonight Im a Rock nd Roll star!!!!!
Shakermaker; Slow and nearly methodical start to this song, well for the first 15 seconds, it rocks up but it is a softer song than the opener. Some more cracking lyrics here again, seemingly meaning nothing with their only purpose to make a great song, a trait that Noel Gallagher show's throughout his life. There is a great guitar solo/moment a near mid song interlude before Liam belts "Im sorry but I just don't know" another moment where the song seems to begin to end before another burst of life takes us through for another minute and a half of Oasis!
Live Forever; Oasis' most recognizable intro, and one of the most recognizable intro's in music. A song revered on by the general public and music critics alike. Live Forever is the first song that we really get hearing Liam flex his muscles as a vocalist with the soft "you and I were gona' live forever" and of course the mid way point has another guitar solo and possibly Oasis' best solo in any song, it takes you away somewhere. Critically acclaimed and has stood the test of time, your children and their children will hear this and acknowledge it's quality, like Wonderwall, and Don't Like Back in Anger this song crossed music divides everywhere, from Hard Rock and hip-hop to Goth and Rave his was loved by everyone.
Up in the Sky; "Hey you up in the sky" This song is another musical masterpiece, simple words with no real direction and simple music and chords played and placed perfectly. The change in pace and direction with the "you'll need assistance with the things that you've never ever seen" is effortless and brilliant.
Colombia; This is one of these where I ask did you ever here Colombia? No never, then I play it and you say oh yes that one. The song that kicked Oasis into and made people sit up and listen. The first airplays of this where nearly a year before the album release. I find this a mellow song, you what I hear you..well its just a real chill out tune, not too heavy nor too soft. A song that I can listen to always and never feel the urge to skip through!
Supersonic; A typical Oasis song, starts with guitars and then all it once Liam and the drums come at you. Some conic lyrics again "can I ride with you in your BMW" and a brilliant guitar solo just backed up with drums then an "ahahahahahah" before back it all comes. "She sniffed it in a tissue selling the big issue" another classic line, this is and Oasis song a model for many Gallagher and wannabe Gallagher's the World ever.
Bring it on Down; Rock and Roll is back and its bigger than ever. A cracking song, very heavy, in comparison to what has gone before. A real head bopper this is a song to listen to before you get into the ring (if your a boxer) but it has a soft moment mid way through with a computer altered Liam Gallagher voice drawing you into a false sense of security that the songs ending, you get too close to the cd player and boom "your the outkassssst" and we are rocking out until the end.
Cigarettes and Alcohol; Is this their best song ever? Its debatable. A cracking intro and away we go..."is it my imaginatioooooooonnnnn". This is Liam's song, all his sunshinneeeee's are a highlight. The mid song interlude just wets your appetite for the guitar rift and and another drawn out word this time "agravatiooonnn" A hard song to describe because it's just brilliant. With your shinnnneeeesss and guitars rift Cigs and Alc could grace any album.
Digsy's Dinner; Short sweet and a complete re-direction of the album, this is She's Electric's older brother. "These have been the best days of our lives" Im always looking forward to this song on the album as it Oasis fist serious use of piano in their music and a real late night everyone really drunk sing along song!!!!
Slide Away; So good they still play it at most gigs, sing along, rock along or dance along, this song hits all the right cords and notes. Indie music is Slide Away, Noel joins in here for the first time with a bit of background singing and this is the complete song, you get the feeling through all the great songs before hand Oasis have got that masterpiece they have been looking for since, well Live Forever all of a few songs back. If your a big Oasis fan you will notice the Slide Away influence on Oasis songs from beginning to now!!
Married with Children; Oasis first foray into acoustic classics again flexing their vocal and musical muscles. "Your music's shite it keeps me up all night" a reference to all other music out there at the time? This is another timeless classic from Oasis and is a real good link to the next album Morning Glory. Cracker!!!
All in all this is (in my humble opinion) The Greatest Album ever, Oasis never rocked like they did in this album until Don't Believe The Truth a few years back.
If you haven't had the joy of listening to this classic go get it and become in an hour an Oasis fan.
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