Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 12/23/2008
Run Time: 50:18
Many of the songs on
Oasis' second album,
(What's the Story) Morning Glory?, illustrated that
Noel Gallagher's songwriting skills had deepened considerably, but the depth of his talent becomes evident when the B-sides of the album's singles are also considered. Almost every song from those four singles -- which
Creation conveniently packaged in one box set in the wake of
Morning Glory's success -- is at least the equal of what was on the actual album, and several are actually far better than a few songs on the official record. The three flip sides for
Some Might Say all were worthy of inclusion on the album.
"Acquiesce," which
Oasis used as the opener on their 1996 tour, is an astonishing hard rocker, where
Liam and
Noel trade the verse and chorus in a song about their notorious love-hate relationship. The throttling
"Headshrinker" is fine, but
"Talk Tonight" is the other gem, a spare
Noel showcase that finds him disarmingly letting down his emotional guard. The two keepers from
Roll With It are a little less assuming, but the rolling acoustics of
"It's Better People" are charming, and
"Rockin' Chair," with its haunting melody and
Liam's nuanced vocal, is an overlooked gem. While the full-length instrumental
"The Swamp Song" on
Wonderwall is a bit tedious,
"Round Are Way" is fantastic, sounding like
Definitely Maybe crossed with
Madness, and the string-drenched
"The Master Plan" is as effective an epic as
"Champagne Supernova." Oasis begin to run out of steam on
Don't Look Back in Anger, resorting to a cover of
Slade's
"Cum on Feel the Noize" to round out the three B-sides. While that is actually heavier than
Quiet Riot's hit cover, the hyperactive
"Step Out" -- which was pulled from
Morning Glory at the last minute -- totally demolishes it, and the
neo-psychedelic "Underneath the Sky" is a lovely change of pace. There's an album's worth of fresh material scattered throughout these singles, and it's no exaggeration to say that those songs form an album as good as
(What's the Story) Morning Glory?, which makes you wish
Noel showed a little more control in deciding what went on the album and what was reserved for the B-sides.
~Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
;)
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