Oasis A to Z

We could be linos, just for a day

I didn’t think anyone did nor did I expect anyone to take me seriously.

Let it be known though - I for realises have no love for Bowie. I downloaded the big hits when he died, and they’re okay. I’d rather listen to Oasis exclusively forever than Bowie - I’d imagine/hope most here would feel the same.

There’s no law that says everyone has to love Bowie or the Clash or whoever. They’re just not for me. Let's be honest - Bowie's seen as greater now only because he died. And he died at the right time, as there's no way he'd emerge from #metoo unscathed.

We’re about 40% through the Oasis songlist - pay no mind to my reviews or scores but I’d still like to hear all your thoughts on the tracks.

*yelling into a void*

Hung in a Bad Place

The first non-Gallagher written track on an Oasis album, it's Gem in quasi glam-mode with a defiant rocker for Liam. A song about breaking free, having been treated badly for too long (were the other guys in Heavy Stereo mean to you Gem?). Part of me hates the "banana-skin feet" and "Tarzan on harmonies" lyrics, but another part of me loves them for being so silly. 6/10

You?

I know everyone is entitled to their opinion but that is complete bullshit.

I just don't feel like giving my opinion on hung in a bad place any longer.

"died at the right time"

You don't think he's more popular as a result of passing away? You don't think he's more loved now? Same with Strummer, people speak of him like a God now.

I knew a lot of people liked Bowie but would never have imagined such a precious response from you lot, acting like I've insulted your parent or something.

I Believe in All

Stomping Liam written bonus track from final album DOYS, we get references to two classic rock songs (walk this way and I can see for miles), and not much else of interest. He'll catch you when you fall, and even when you call - it's what he's going to do. So that's good. 5/10

"87 & cry"

The ninth track from "Never Let Me Down" which was Bowie's 17th studio record released on EMI America. Bowie conceived the album as the foundation for a theatrical world tour, writing and recording most of the songs in Switzerland. He considered the record a return to rock and roll music. The track features keyboards, synthesizer & rhythm guitar all played by Bowie himself. Lyrically the song was a statement regarding Maggie Thatcher. After let's Dance in 83 the rest of the 80's are probably best forgotten for Bowie, though this is one of the handful of highlights I still enjoy. It's kinda throwaway & very straight forward yet I've always enjoyed this one. Thoughts?

Sorry Lino, I couldn't help myself. You are doing a wonderful job so please do continue. Maybe when this is finished we could recommend you some Bowie songs/records to hopefully change your mind? There are too many different styles & era's to Bowie to completely write the guy off, I'm sure you'd find something that you could dig.

I had the HONOUR of being at the very first gig that Hung in a Bad place was played. Shepherds bush empire on the noise & confusion tour. It sounded blistering! (..or so I thought a the time) This one I know isn't very popular with anyone, even back in the day the madferit era people hated it... well, I've always thought it was OK It's uninspired & has shit lyrics but HC is so poor that an upbeat rocker with Liam kermit vocals somehow seems like a strong point.
Put it this way, whenever I try to re-cut HC by using demo's & B-sides it's one of the songs that makes the cut (I always end up with barely an EP's worth... shockingly bad era for Oasis)

But Rollinice I still appreciate you spending 8 hours sending me the record over MIRC. I'd just returned from the job centre where I was told that I'd hit 6 months of dole & would have to spend my weeks painting church/school fences to "earn" my dole money. Thankfully the following day Royal Mail responded to my poorly handwritten letter of "got any jobs? I live local!" & before I knew it I was walking the streets with hung in a bad place blasting out of my mini disc player.

6/10

You're probably right. I am pretty myopic and obsessive with specific music, to the extent that I probably only have <10 favourite artists that I listen to constantly on a daily basis, and mainly dabble with single songs from elsewhere. Bowie might just be a blind spot. I used to write-off Springsteen but now he's in that top 10 (though due to a collection of songs from throughout his career rather than whole albums).

Anyway.

I think I recall the HIABP live leak from the AMO days, or was it an earlier version of this board? Then with the subsequent album, it was a Gem song again that was revealed first (A bell will ring, and also The meaning of soul).

It never struck me as being too Kermitty on album; there's an upcoming song that is peak-Kermit IMO. Horrible song too.

I think it was The Masterplan forum back then? The guy that owned it did loads of guitar tutorials.

I believe it went The Masterplan >
Oasisforum (until the owner was killed in a tractor incident) >
the soapbox (ran by FoxyOasis' bloke who's name I can't remember right now)

then I'm pretty sure there was a replacement board which didn't last long, then the soapbox which Horizon deleted & now the proboards version we have now.

LAST TIME I'LL MENTION BOWIE, this is probably the most "Oasis" sounding Bowie song. Would've made a great B-side, I can imagine Liam completely nailing this vocal. See what you think Lino

Kable Punk he was a fat slob

Judging by his song ratings, I'd say lino would enjoy more Bowie the balladeer: Changes/Life on Mars, Wild is the Wind/Word on a Wing, Teenage Wildlife, Where Are We Now?, Dollar Days...

I Can See a Liar

One of the two true throwaway tracks on SOTSOG as even Noel was keen to admit, with one particularly poor couplet (sadly, it's the opening of the chorus), but the opening of the song is solid: "Maybe (Google says it's "baby"?) the time is right to tell it all like it is; and now that I feel God-like there's nothing that can't be kissed". That's the arrogant Oasis of the first three albums, but that tone doesn't appear much on the rest of this album. The vocal is fine, the song sounds like a rockier version of the rest of the album, so it's not out of place - 6/10

Helter Skelter - never really taken to this much, dunno why, perhaps it's cos it's quite literally Oasis doing The Beatles and we know there's more to their armour

Heroes - much prefer this to the above, perfect b-side for that comeback single and Noel pulls off a euphoric vocal. Love the semi-swirling guitars

Hey Now! - as the years roll by my love for these early 'fillers' grows even more. Great lyrics also. Also one of Elliott Smith's favourites, true story

Hung In A Bad Place - hate this with a passion tbf, such a lazy tune and not in a good way. Crap vocals. Wouldn't even be good enough to make a Hurricane#1 album

I Can See A Liar - so underrated, a majestic rocker with great production. Great vocals. Love the way Liam drags out the last word in the chorus and the reverb

Helter Skelter & Heroes - So bad, both of them. Sans 'I Am The Walrus' and 'Come On Feel The Noise', Oasis were terrible at covers, these are pub band quality and that's disrespecting pub bands. They take all of the menace out of the former and completely bludgeon through the subtle, brooding & unnerving qualities of the latter.

I'm not sure which one is worse, but I'll have to go with Heroes as it's the better of the two originals, so seems more sacrilegious.

1.1/10 & 0.9/10

Hey Now! - This is a very underrated tune that has grown with it's age. The last time I listened to WTSMG, which was for the first time in years, this was the one song that jumped out at me. I'm not sure if that's because it's probably the least ubiquitous of all the songs on this multi million selling album, it could be, but I still think it felt strong and a bit more timeless than say 'Roll with it' or 'She's Electric'. As ever, Liam sounds great and the descending structure and melody of the chorus goes against the usual big, bold and rousing choruses of the time.

8.7/10

Hung In A Bad Place & I Can See A Liar - Appropriate that these songs sit next to each other in the list, as they both represent the exact same thing, desperate and failing attempts to show that these burly, working class northerners can 'still rock'.
Same as Mahoney, I was also at the Shepherds Bush gigs where HIABP was debuted (along with the Hindu Times, urghh) and thought it was 'mega' back then, but hindsight is a wonderful thing and we all know that it's total bobbins. Both songs have terrible lyrics, terrible attempts at writing 'rock songs' result in clichéd chord structures and arrangements. The production on ICSAL saves it from being as bad as HIABP, but not by much.

2.1/10 & 2.9/10

That version of ICSAL on French telly is bonza, don't you agree krburg? It's at least twice the tune of HIABP. I also always pissed my sides laughing at the fact the rhyme police genuinely thought it was about somebody sitting next to a fire and that it wasn't a metaphor. Probably the same people who think Little James has shit lyrics, eh.