Oasis – The Masterplan (Remastered Edition) (1998/2023) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

Oasis – The Masterplan (Remastered Edition) (1998/2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 01:06:29 minutes | 835 MB | Genre: Alternative Rock, Pop Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Big Brother Recordings Ltd

‘The Masterplan’ is an extraordinary collection of B-sides originally featured on singles from Oasis’ era-defining first three albums, ‘Definitely Maybe’ (1994), ‘(What’s The Story) Morning Glory?’ (1995), and ‘Be Here Now’ (1997). Far from being inferior to the singles they backed, many of the 14 tracks that feature on ‘The Masterplan’ have become as cherished as the band’s biggest singles from that seminal period. The album includes tracks ‘Acquiesce’, ‘Half The World Away’, ‘Talk Tonight’, Oasis’ iconic live cover of The Beatles’ ‘I Am The Walrus’ and the epic title track. Noel has often described ‘The Masterplan’ as one of the best songs he has ever written. Formats include CD, Heavyweight Black LP and limited-edition Silver LP, to celebrate 25 years. ‘The Masterplan’ charted at No.2 in the UK Official Album Chart UK selling over 122,000 copies in its first week. It went on to be certified triple platinum and has sold over three million copies worldwide.

For American audiences, the phenomenal worldwide success of Oasis was a little puzzling. That’s because they only had part of the picture — unless they were hardcore fans, they didn’t hear nearly three albums of material released on B-sides and non-LP singles. Critics and fans alike claimed that the best of these B-sides were as strong as the best moments on the albums, and they were right. None of the albums had a song that rocked as hard as “Fade Away” (cleverly built on a stolen melody from Wham!’s “Freedom”), “Headshrinker,” or “Acquiesce.” There was nothing as charming as the lite psychedelic pastiche “Underneath the Sky” or the Bacharach tribute “Going Nowhere”; there was nothing as affecting as Noel Gallagher’s acoustic plea “Talk Tonight” or the minor-key, McCartney-esque “Rockin’ Chair,” nothing as epic as “The Masterplan.” Most bands wouldn’t throw songs of this caliber away on B-sides, but Noel Gallagher followed the example of his heroes the Jam and the Smiths, who released singles where the B-sides rivaled the A-sides. This meant many American fans missed these songs, so to remedy this situation, Oasis released the B-sides compilation The Masterplan. Oasis unfortunately chose to opt for a single disc of highlights instead of a complete double-disc set, which means a wealth of great songs — “Take Me Away,” “Whatever,” “D’Yer Wanna Be a Spaceman?,” “Round Are Way,” “It’s Better People,” “Step Out,” a raging cover of “Cum on Feel the Noize” — are missing. But The Masterplan winds up quite enjoyable anyway. Apart from the sludgy instrumental “The Swamp Song,” there isn’t a weak track here, and the brilliant moments are essential not only for Oasis fans, but any casual follower of Britpop or post-grunge rock & roll. – Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Tracklist:
1-1. Oasis – Acquiesce (Remastered) (04:25)
1-2. Oasis – Underneath The Sky (Remastered) (03:20)
1-3. Oasis – Talk Tonight (Remastered) (04:20)
1-4. Oasis – Going Nowhere (Remastered) (04:39)
1-5. Oasis – Fade Away (Remastered) (04:13)
1-6. Oasis – The Swamp Song (Remastered) (04:18)
1-7. Oasis – I Am The Walrus – Live Glasgow Cathouse June ’94 (Remastered) (06:25)
1-8. Oasis – Listen Up (Remastered) (06:20)
1-9. Oasis – Rockin’ Chair (Remastered) (04:35)
1-10. Oasis – Half The World Away (Remastered) (04:22)
1-11. Oasis – (It’s Good) To Be Free (Remastered) (04:18)
1-12. Oasis – Stay Young (Remastered) (05:05)
1-13. Oasis – Headshrinker (Remastered) (04:37)
1-14. Oasis – The Masterplan (Remastered) (05:25)

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