Oasis

Be Here Now

While it is not their Best, it is my Favorite

Review Score:

(10/10)
I hate to give them 3 stars for this, considering how I TECHINICALLY hate this band, Liam's singing, their ripping on the Beatles, Thom Yorke, Coldplay, etc. etc. etc., but nevertheless I still find this album a fun listen. When I first bought it in 1998 I was actually listening to it probably about once a day, enraptured in the lengthy, almost cozy song structures that they created (although I always disliked "All Around the World"-can you say 5 minutes too long?). Liam's bratty whine was almost effecting, and it made generally good background formless rock to listen to. Eventually I almost felt ashamed owning the record, and despite the fact that I secretly liked it, I did end up selling it (for what, 2 bucks?). Truth be told, though, they always have, and probably will always be in some fashion, good at this sort of manufactured, mindless pop. The lyrical fragments in each song are sometimes repeated 2 or 3 times, with the lines a bit rearranged each time, and what lyrics there are are pretty uninspired ("Don't go away/Say that you'll stay/Forever and a day"). The riffs are circular and generally uninspired. But it's so crunchy, loud, rocking (even on the slower songs like "Magic Pie" and "Don't Go Away"), and sincere (especially when they aren't trying to make a point like on the leadoff "D'You Know What I Mean") that it's hard to resist even for someone like me who (I think) has standards. As a result, I gave in and bought it again on cheap, just to remind me what this record had to offer in the way of mindless fun. Doesn't hold a candle to Blur by any means (you mean they were competing with each other???), but it's at least better than Kula Shaker (ugh, now THERE'S something to hate) and it's always there if you just want to empty your mind and rock out in a head-noddingly-approved manner. Don't worry, I won't tell anybody :)

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