Oasis albums ranked
I don't care what anyone says, Heathen Chemistry is Oasis' weakest album. Rather than flexing more of their creativity by experimenting with different styles as they did on Standing on the Shoulder of Giants, they adopt that generic commercial rock sound from the early 2000's. Apart from a few decent tracks, the album is just bland as hell. This was their first to feature rhythm guitarist Gem Archer and bassist Andy Bell and also their last with longtime drummer Alan White.
Highlights: "Stop Crying Your Heart Out", "Songbird", "She Is Love"
Released when Oasis were still at the top of Britpop movement, but with their highly anticipated third album, they were trying too hard. Be Here Now is overlong and so overproduced! The utterly ridiculous amount of audio effects they included throughout the album serve nothing but to suffocate the songs with their own production. Some parts are simply unlistenable! And if you're going to make longer songs, you had better keep them engaging throughout, but most of the lengthier tracks are just too repetitive to where they get boring. Still, there is some prime Oasis to be heard on here. "Don't Go Away" and "Stand By Me" in particular stand out the most, but Be Here Now is just a bloated mess that ended up single-handedly killing Britpop. This was also the last Oasis record to feature founding members Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs and Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan.
Highlights: "Don't Go Away", "Stand By Me"
After the fall of Britpop, many of the bands associated with that movement had to abandon ship and change up their sound. Oasis were no exception (especially when they were the ones who ruined it) and this marks their first non-Britpop album as they shifted to more straightforward alternative. Standing on the Shoulder of Giants is not Oasis at their best, but it's better than the albums that came right before and after it. We even get to hear them experiment for the first time with electronic and psychedelic rock undertones. The record isn't anything special as a whole, but it shows that the band still had plenty of songwriting potential.
Highlights: "Fuckin' in the Bushes", "Go Let It Out", "Who Feels Love?", "Sunday Morning Call"
This record was a return to form for Oasis and is the only album by the band that was truly a band effort in terms of writing, featuring equal songwriting credits from all members whereas Noel Gallagher had been the primary songwriter before. Don't Believe The Truth doesn't quite recapture the tone or excellency of their Britpop years, but it came pretty close and stands as one of the groups better albums from their post-Britpop years. At last, Oasis were able to pull themselves out of their period of mediocrity by releasing another solid record, which was enough to give them the most success they had seen since Be Here Now. Sure, it wouldn't last too long, but for the time being, Oasis were back!
Highlights: "The Importance of Being Idle", "Let There Be Love", "Lyla", "Turn Up the Sun"
This is the band's final album and what an absolute shame it is because Dig Out Your Soul was the closest Oasis ever came to reclaiming the glory from their earlier music. Noel Gallagher returns to lead songwriting duties here and reflected on the softer acoustic nature of their previous albums, wanting to make the next Oasis album the one that rocked the hardest. Indeed, it is the grittiest album of the band's entire catalogue as they flirt with hard rock while revisiting the psychedelic rock musings from Standing on the Shoulder of Giants. People can say what they want about the band's later music not being as good, but Dig Out Your Soul is the best of their later years. It's just too bad that the Gallagher brothers' infamous feuding would finally boil over, leading to Noel's departure and the eventual disbanding of Oasis.
Highlights: "The Turning", "The Shock of the Lightning", "I'm Outta Time", "Falling Down", "Waiting For The Rapture",
Britpop had already been rising steadily by the time Oasis came along. But when they released Definitely Maybe, they immediately proved that they weren't just around to take part in the Britpop generation, they were there to take the lead (while just as quickly providing the other leading act, Blur, with some competition!) Oasis' debut saw them quickly paving their way to the top with their carefree swagger and an album fully loaded with classics! It wasn't just a matter of how great the album was, but how it also set the standard by signifying Britpop as the UK's answer to grunge, that you can have an rock and roll edge without any glum dreariness - a notion that influences countless band to this day. It's a masterpiece for sure, but there is one that's slightly better.
Highlights: "Live Forever", "Rock 'n' Roll Star", "Shakermaker", "Supersonic", "Cigarettes & Alcohol", "Slide Away"
Of course Oasis' first two records are their very best, but which is the superior album? Fans are divided on which one it is, but I say it is their second. Why? In a nutshell: if Definitely Maybe was their statement that they were there to lead, then (What's the Story) Morning Glory? is to reaffirm that they are here to stay. One that was so strong, it even blew Blur, their fiercest competitors, out of the water! This album has Oasis' most famous hit "Wonderwall" as well as my personal favorite Oasis song "Roll With It". Signature tracks aside, this album did a better job of capturing the band's pop sensibilities better than their debut, showing Oasis could shake you with rockers but also sway you with balladry. The margin is slight, but if there can be only one that represents Oasis at their peak, it's (What's the Story) Morning Glory?
Highlights: "Roll With It", "Wonderwall", "Don't Look Back in Anger", "Some Might Say", "Morning Glory", "Champagne Supernova"
Feel free to share your opinions on my album ranking and thanks for reading!
