From the Vaults:Thoughts on Oasis' Definitely Maybe

(Originally posted on Glamorama, 5.15.2003)

When Oasis arrived in a flurry of arrogance, punch-ups and general rock n’ roll debauchery, their musical merits often went unnoticed. Sure, people made lazy comparisons to The Beatles, but at least with "Definitely Maybe", that was only part of the story. Oasis’ debut album, recorded for the most part live,is bursting with noise, attitude, and most importantly, tunes.

"Columbia" achieves in 6 minutes what Black Rebel Motorcycle Club have yet to do with their whole career. "Cigarettes and Alcohol" is a ballsy ode to being on the dole: "Is it worth the aggravation? To find yourself a job when there’s nothing worth working for?"

Listen to "Columbia":

[Download the MP3 Here]

"Definitely Maybe" opens with the classic wish-fulfillment anthem "Rock N’ Roll Star". With its pummeling drums, scorching guitars, and Liam’s youthful, sneering voice—it’s clear that with all that arrogance came genuine ability.

The album’s highlights are numerous, but in the end one has to single out "Slide Away" as Noel’s crowning achievement. It’s a noisy ballad that at the same time is sweeter than anything Noel’s written since. As Liam wails "Now that you're mine, I'll find a way, of chasing the sun," one can’t help but appreciate the tremendous balancing act Oasis was capable of back then: a truly unusual blend of sentimentality and tough-guy bravado.

Noel Gallagher summed it up when he admitted later on: ‘People don’t make albums like this anymore, least of all me.’ As far as debut rock albums go, it received very little serious competition until The Strokes released "Is This It" some 7 years later.

Despite a plethora of other discs, "Definitely Maybe" stands as the crowning achievement of the Britpop era. Noel wanted his band to sound like John Lennon fronting The Stooges…and on "Definitely Maybe" he pulled it off with flying colors. Listening to it now, more than a decade after its release, it’s clear that not only can it stand side-by-side with all the new guitar bands, but indeed, it quite literally blows them away. Oasis may have since lost the plot, but this album made them giants on whose shoulder (sic) future bands will stand.

Listen to "Slide Away":

[Download the MP3 Here]

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