23. Definitely Maybe - Oasis 1994
Whilst Blur were celebrating everything typical of life in Southern England, more specifically inside the M25, up the road in the North, was a much louder, hooligan brand of Rock and Roll emanating from Manchester, in the shape of the Gallagher brothers, led, Oasis. A collection of five Manchester natives that were celebrating life and it's simple pleasures, rather than over-analysing them. Creation records head honcho, Alan McGee went along to see a band playing at the tiny-but-cool venue that is Glasgow's King Tut's, in 1993. He signed the band on the spot, and that band was Oasis. In '94, the band released three singles that all turned the band into the hottest new act in the UK. 'Supersonic', 'Shakermaker' and 'Live Forever', had the music press and fans all frothing, so when the album that housed these hits was finally released, in late August, excitement was at fever pitch. 'Definitely Maybe', sold 86,000 copies in its first week, and debuted at number one in the U.K. album charts. The album was also a surprise hit across the pond as well, shifting over a million copies in the States. Perhaps the Americans warmed to the British sounds that the group emanated that was reminiscent of The Beatles, Bowie, T-Rex, The Stone Roses and even, The Sex Pistols, whom songwriter, Noel Gallagher, was very fond of. Not since the fore-mentioned, Stone Roses, had a British Rock and Roll act had such swagger and, knowledge, that they were really,
really good. In fact, they seemed to know from the get go that they were going to change the world and make loud, British guitar based, music genuinely cool. The Charlatans and Ride, although noisy in their own way, were less direct, and much more arty and sensitive. Oasis were ushering in the Lad-culture, with its obsession with designer clothes, expensive cigarettes and football. It was now ok to like these things again and be proud of being, a man. The songs were incredibly easy to relate to for a young, British male, in the 90's. Noel had an ear for great guitar riffs and proper guitar solos. Lyrics that weren't particularly profound, but still cleverly written to be memorable and constructed vocal melodies, easy to sing along to when inebriated on a skinful of lager. Those words were handled, for the most part, by Noel's younger brother, the Rock star in waiting, Liam Gallagher. Liam was all slack-jawed, duck walking, British cool. Like a cross between Ian Brown and John Lennon, Liam was the perfect mouthpiece and front man for the Oasis machine. There isn't a dull moment on this record and although arguably, the band's follow up, 'What's the Story (Morning Glory), is marginally more popular, it wasn't as influential and impacting as 'Definitely Maybe'. 8 million copies and counting, Oasis were responsible for one of the best Debut albums the world of music has ever produced. Rather fittingly, the album starts with a track called 'Rock and Roll Star', that was written long before the band members became just that. It is raucous and noisy and has no business opening a debut record, a ballsy and cocky move, but that is exactly what made Oasis tick. A song like the gorgeous 'Live Forever' is ridiculously mature for a band in its infancy. 'Cigarettes and Alcohol', became an anthem, and is shamelessly hedonistic. 'Slide Away', is the real gem, with its tender, picked notes and emotive, lost-love lyrics, coupled with a divine vocal melody, in both the verse and, chorus. This was touted to be the fifth single, but in an act of rare humility, the much more centered, older Gallagher brother, vetoed the proposal, stating, "You can't have five singles off a debut album!" A true landmark of 90's music and a real renaissance for British music in general. Give it a go, because no matter what you;re into, the quality of the material cannot be denied, and you might even like it.