I was a relative latecomer to the alternative scene, having only been 12 when this disc came out and not understanding the significance of Kurt Cobain killing himself one year prior. My musical coming of age came at a time when the local rock station Top 5 included Kid Rock, Korn, Limp Bizkit, Uncle Kracker and Linkin Park (notice the reliance on the letter K, which is the most fascinating thing about those bands).

Yes, it was a sad time indeed, compounded by the fact that outside of "Wonderwall," I knew nothing of Oasis. So when I was old enough to begin appreciating music, I decided to give this is a spin.

I now declare this as one of the best rock albums ever made.

In many ways, Morning Glory is a classic rock album; check out how the faint strains of "Wonderwall" fade into the brash opener "Hello," or the two brief instrumental tracks that break up sections of the disc, or the epic, winding closer "Champagne Supernova," which was the band's "Hey Jude" but with less lyrical significance. Oasis took great pains to construct this as an album-length statement, a way to establish themselves after the bar set by Definitely Maybe, butt even they didn't know the heights this would reach.

On the other hand, given the brothers' arrogance, maybe they knew they were making a classic and intended this to be as such, since it combines elements of pop, shoegazing emo, punk, hard rock and brash British arrogance coupled with an American party sensibility. It's a working-class band that you will like, but that couldn't care less if you don't. 

There is not one bad moment here. "Hello" is the perfect opener, a snarling rocker that immediately establishes both the soul-searching lyrics and the rock star guitar crunch. "Roll With It" is an upbeat tune that brings the oft-cited Beatles comparisons into play, despite the latent Oasis-by-numbers feel, and "Wonderwall" still packs an emotional punch among moody acoustic guitars and lines like "And all the roads that lead us there were winding / There are many things that I would like to say to you / But I don't know how."

The band creates mini-epics, really. "Champagne Supernova" comes to mind, the most perfect album closer of the alternative era save maybe for Alice in Chains' "Would" from Dirt. A little less overblown is "Don't Look Back In Anger," easily one of the finer singles of the decade, while  "Hey Now" is driven by fuzzy metallic riffs and is a little more low-key than the kinetic "Some Might Say," but both transcend the status of "safe" Oasis rock because of the energy and the larger framework.

"Cast No Shadow" is another mini-epic, the light strings adding a nice touch to a tribute song for Richard Ashcroft, while "She's Electric" also strongly recalls the Beatles, particularly Paul McCartney's harder-rocking solo work and whimsical lyrics circa "Another Day." Of course, all bets are off with the amazing "Morning Glory," a slightly overproduced rocker that features Liam's voice reaching its highest register in the soaring, roaring chorus. He can take a line like "All your dreams are made / When you're chained to the mirror and the razorblade / Today's the day that all the world will see" and make it sound meaningful; the heroic guitar solos and powerful drumming drive the point home, while the lower vocals backing up Liam's wailing add another dimension of gravity.

I'm not sure where history will put this disc or Oasis in general; the band's infrequent albums and dearth of good material since 1995 has not helped their status. But there is no lie in calling (What's The Story) Morning Glory? one of the best rock albums of all time, and if you think I'm kidding just listen to it straight through again. Simply amazing.

Rating: A

User Rating: B+

Login to submit a rating for this album.

---

Comments

Login to post a comment.