10 Years since a low point

August from memory is actually the NZ anniversary, but still!

10 years ago this month was the turning point for the "britpop" phenomena. Oasis released the hugely anticipated Be Here Now.

In short the album was a shambles - average song length was around 5 minutes (so very long), culminating in the incredibly average All Around the World (fuckin 10 minutes long). If nothing else the album proves that you dont need a guitar solo between every verse and chorus.

To be fair there were some classics, Do Yer Know What I Mean was a fantastic anthem, Fade In Out (with Johnny Depp on slide guitar) kicked ass, and the title track came alive when they opened their ill-fated Wellington concert with it in 1998. I've also always had a soft spot for one of the most slagged off tracks - Girl in the Dirty Shirt - not entirely sure why (bad taste?)

But the album ultimately sufferred from Oasis' arrogance and drug taking (Noel Gallagher blames cocaine for the album). Its not their worst album though, and like Q say in their Be Here Now anniversary issue, its probably the last album by Oasis that people had a strong opinion on - which is true, a lot of the later stuff im completely indifferent to.

I guess the worst thing for Oasis was that only a month later, one of the greatest albums of all time was released by Radiohead, completely pushing the boundaries and taking listeners into what could have been uncomfortable territory.... but thats another anniversary on June 16 which will be covered then!

So this May, break out your copy of Be Here Now (if you dont have one - look in the $2 bins at Real Groovy lol!) and revisit what was one of the greatest follies on 90s music.

Tonight ill be a rock n roll star

Angus challenged me to match his top 12 Oasis tracks with my own, so here goes

1. Supersonic
2. Cigaretes and Alcohol
3. Some Might Say
4. Fade In Out
5. Live Forever
6. Wonderwall
7. Songbird
8. Force of Nature
9. A Bell will Ring
10. Shakermaker
11. Lyla
12. Go Let it Out (rules requiring at least one from each album means this makes it in, rather like quota systems based on race for South African sports teams - I think its a little patronising. Go Let it out knows it doesnt belong!)

and Top 5 b-sides
1. Half the World Away
2. Talk Tonight
3. Going Nowhere
4. Acquiesce
5. Headshrinker

Radio Supernova

My new work has all sorts of weird restrictions on what you can do on your computer - which has caused one problem - no ITunes!

I was at a loss as to how I could remedy this - granted I listen to Radio New Zealand National online in the mornings in anycase (goes with the job), but from 10 onwards (except for the midday news) I like/need music.

Well its Oasis to the rescue - you will notice under links that I have added Radio Supernova - its web based and required no downloads, you just pick what source you want from Album tracks, Acoustic tracks, B Sides, Live tracks and it plays a random selection of tracks - for as long as you are on there!

Check it out via my links section, and yes Karen not only has your link been restored - its now the New Adventures of Karen! (Just like Superman but with slightly less spandex).

His Masters Voice

This is the second attempt at blogging this - if it crashes again ill scream! (hence its post dated)

Anyway, on the weekend I picked up Oasis' best of collection - Stop the Clocks on LP from Real Groovy. At one stage in the late 90s I often bought my favourite albums on LP as well as CD - almost as some kind of mark of respect... well kind of I guess.

I wasn't going to buy Stop the Clocks - couldnt really see the point, although it did reinforce my point that Definitely Maybe is far and away Oasis' best work. I was a tad dirty about hearing that the new album due mid to late 07, will feature a song titled - Stop the Clocks, so I ask you why not feature that on the best of as the title track??

So picking this has inspired me to get back into vinyl. I was originally going to buy a kick ass red-retro turntable from Ikoiko, but then fiscal restraint got the better of me and I drove to Levin and knicked the old man's one instead!

The other great vinyl purchase of the weekend was an original Factory Records version of Joy Division's Love will tear us apart - nice! And for only $19, I cant help but think that whoever priced this didnt appreciate the importance of Joy Division and Factory in general, and if you dont - watch 24hr Party People - they invented raves basically, and taught white folk how to dance!

Review: Lord Don't Slow Me Down

Well I have literally just watched the New Zealand premiere of Oasis's doco - Lord Don't Slow Me Down, as part of C4's Music Doco series - The Cut.

It's not bad and serves as a reminder of how great they were and still are - at times.

Their career to date has been bookended by great albums, my opinions on their other content is well known so there is little point going on. But what I will say is that I still feel some kind of ownership of Oasis, so when I criticise them, its almost like arguing with your family.

There is little new in the film for fans of Oasis, and the doco Live Forever is far better in terms of examining their impact, but this is still fun. There isnt the wheels falling off of the Metallica/Dandy Warhols doco kind's (usual arguments are present of course!) but what stands out for are the live snippets of the Definitely Maybe back catalogue - best album ever!

If I was reviewing any other band's doco this would get a 3/5 but this is Oasis.....

****

(PS. Note my kick ass perspex christmas trees in the photo - my first decorations for years! Oh and on another note Ive sent cards out this year - another first!)

(PPS Yes Angus just like Return of the King..... before you Angus, before you.)

Oh I almost forgot - Lord Don't Slow Me Down!

The very excellent C4 has been running a great series of music docos of late, including the very excellent Dandy Warhols doco, and of course Metallica's "wheels fall off disaster epic".

But next week - the band who "still" claim they are the most important band in the world (hmmm not sure who they're kidding!) Oasis!

C4 are playing the brand new Lord Don't Slow Me Down on 12 December, and the following the new Beatle's doco - LOVE!

What a kick ass way to finish the TV year.

Oasis Live in Paris - ROCK!

Some might call this selling out – but hey who cares MSN webcast Oasis live in Paris the other morning. It was actually an acoustic set by Noel and Gem – and it kicked ass.

How great is this songlist?
Its Good to Be Free
Talk Tonight
Fade away
Cast No Shadow
Importance of Being Idle
Listen Up
Half the World Away
Wonderwall
Whatever
Slide Away
Strawberry Fields Forever
Dont Look Back in Anger
Married with Children

You can still watch video of the concert here – I fully recommend it!