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THE REVIEW
1. "Acquiesce"
2. "Underneath The Sky"
3. "Talk Tonight"
4. "Going Nowhere"
5. "Fade Away"
6. "The Swamp Song"
7. "I Am The Walrus (live)"
8. "Listen Up"
9. "Rockin' Chair"
10. "Half The World Away"
11. "(It's Good) To Be Free"
12. "Stay Young"
13. "Headshrinker"
14. "The Masterplan"
Year 1998. After the failure of "Be Here Now," Oasis's third studio album, which betrayed the expectations of fans and critics and is still considered by the Gallagher brothers as their worst work, "The Masterplan," a collection of the group's best b-sides, is released. And the result is definitely a surprising, beautiful, and catchy album.
The start is in full Oasis style with "Acquiesce", a typical Britpop song, complete with riff and chorus in the refrain. Another song that stands out within the album is undoubtedly the acoustic "Talk Tonight", written by Noel when he temporarily left the group in Las Vegas during Oasis's American tour.
Certainly not indifferent and willingly listened to are the electric "Fade Away" and "The Swamp Song".
But this is a surprising album in all its aspects and it stands out for the sophistication of the lyrics like in "(It's Good) To Be Free".
"But the little things they make me so happy
All I want to do is live by the sea
Little things they make me so happy
But it's good it's good it's good to be free"
The entire album is characterized by the alternation of ballads like "Rockin' Chair" and "Half The World Away" and songs in full rock'n'roll style like "Stay Young" and "Headshrinker".
However, it is at the end that we find the best piece of all the work, the song that also gives the name to the entire album: "The Masterplan", one of the best pieces ever performed by the Manchester band, written and sung by Noel Gallagher, a gem that makes this record one of the best by OASIS, despite being composed of the "leftovers" of previous albums.
Also noteworthy is the Beatles' cover "I Am The Walrus" in a live version, which was defined as excellent by former Beatle Paul McCartney.
"The Masterplan" achieved great results, both in terms of sales and appreciation from fans and critics, reaching second place in the British best-selling album chart.
"Hey! Stay young and invincible
'Cos we know just what we are, and
Come what may we're unstoppable
'Cos we know just what we are"
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Summary by Bot
The Masterplan is Oasis' 1998 album compiling their finest b-sides, offering a surprising and beautiful blend of Britpop, acoustic ballads, and rock tracks. Standouts include 'Acquiesce,' the heartfelt 'Talk Tonight,' and the title track, a career highlight. The live Beatles cover 'I Am The Walrus' adds extra appeal. Despite originating from leftover tracks, the album received strong sales and critical praise.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Oasis
English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991, led by brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher. Central figures of 1990s Britpop with landmark albums Definitely Maybe (1994) and (What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995). The group split in 2009.101 Reviews
Other reviews
By ciaglia
'Acquiesce' is the only track sung by both brothers, bursting into pure energy.
Noel's voice and the music in 'The Masterplan' evoke chills and lasting emotion.
By ste84
"With our b-sides any other band could make a career..." — words spoken with conviction by Noel Gallagher.
"The Masterplan is the most polished and complex song on the album ... beautiful is the ending where strings, brass, and guitar chase and blend with each other."
By Kecco
"The Masterplan contains songs that an average band wouldn’t even dream of putting in b-sides."
"The iconic song of this album is definitely ‘The Masterplan,’ where Noel’s vocal abilities are at their peak."
