Way Back When: Oasis - What's the Story, Morning Glory

What's been spinning through my head over and over. Oasis, "What's the story) Morning Glory". Really the entire Oasis catalog is spinning madly on my mP3 player. Why the retro-grade detour down rock and roll memory lane?

To me, Oasis represents it's own genre of musical genius. The songs have a timeless quality to them that I can listen to over and over again. From the intro on Hello, leading off with the beautifully dirty Vox amplifiers, to the ballad of Wonderwall, I just can't stop listening.

Another draw to the band is the intrigue of the brothers Gallagher relationship. The warring tension that has kept on through a decade of Rock and Roll, that is an ever present theme in the music. I wonder how it all works every time I hear the music. It intrigues me that the brothers really don't like each other, or at least don't get along very well. I can see , and hear rather, how such conflict can be the foundation for awesome music.

And another thing I love about Oasis, is their consistency. They have a formula that works, and they stick with it tried and true. It is a truly British rock sound that will have you chugging Guiness in ecstasy in no time.

Oasis, like a wonderful Supernova of Sound exploding into your ears.


Oasis Website
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REVIEW: The Police live - not so good

I guess it must be said, that musicians as creative as they are, definately are not the greatest at marketing. For example, today's post stems from the forum entry Stewart Copeland posted regarding one of the gigs they played in Vancouver BC. In this particular entry, Mr. Copeland actually trashes himself and the band's performance. I know that pride cometh before the fall - but I don't think that necessarily means that we must air our flub ups to the world!

"This is ubelievably lame. We are the mighty Police and we are totally at sea" states Copeland as he rips on and on about every bad chord, missed beat, and lame dance they did.

Although hilarious to read, it actually quite painful, as he states "we changed the keys of EVERY LITTLE THING and DON’T STAND SO CLOSE so needless to say Andy and Sting are now on-stage in front of twenty thousand fans playing avant-garde twelve-tone hodgepodges of both tunes". I can just imagine the agony, having messed up a few times as a musician myself knowing that everything is wrong, and there is nothing you can do about it. But there is really no reason to delve into the intimate details of such flubs. A simple "We didn't play our best, but we'll get them in the next show" would suffice.

The reality of such events is that the crowd, in all their infinite knowledge of all things musical, doesn't really notice any of the crap that goes on. For all they're concerned, it's all a part of the show. "Stewart, I liked this gig best of all three. Despite the accidents I loved it." was a response that online user Dietmar left to the Copeland forum. No, the crowd never notices a thing.

Forum Post

REVIEW: Avril Lavigne, "The Best Damn Thing"

How freakin awesome are the powerful sounds of a feminist punk rocker Canadian. Yes, it's true I have always liked the sound that Avril has, and it's no different on her latest release, "The Best Damn Thing". Full of screaming riffs, angry drums, and attitude, the album shines amongst the cookie cutter vinyls we hear so much today.

Her debut track "Girlfriend", is a commanding diddy which basically says - I get my way, or else. The song has a great dynamic quality, and the sound is dead on punk. The vocals are well done, although I must admit - I might have a really hard time with Avril for long long periods of time.

Another track "The Best Damn Thing", is another powerful example of the energy that Avril has for the music. It is catchy, well written, and has more energy that a freight train rolling downhill. It is really hard not to get your toe tapping fro the duration of the song.

One thing that bothered me about the album, was the rock balad featurette called "When You're Gone". It could have been called "The softer side of Avril". Although it is well produced, and well thought out the song lacks the attitude driven pop the rest of the album has. It seems to stick out as if it doesn't really belong.

Besides that - there are a couple of songs where the lyrics waver a bit, and there are a few songs that lack the punch of some of the others. But I feel that this is an album worth listening too.

Album Produced by: Butch Walker, Derek Whibley, Rob Cavallo, Matt Mecley