Well the wait for the new album has been getting quite torturous and to fight the boredom I had an idea about revisiting Oasis' past albums, that is the ones that most agree are not 100% perfect. I always thought that LAMB should have been on SOTSOG and I was interested in what such an album would sound like. Of course one thing led to another and I reconstructed the entire album until I found a combination of songs (and their corresponding order) that made the album an entirely new experience and helped me explore the original in greater depth. Actually I was surprised how much I ended up 'liking' SOTSOG because it was my least favorite album before.

It's kinda like when Beatles fans try and put Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields Forever back on Sgt. Peppers (Apparently George Martin's self-claimed "greatest mistake") or Beach Boy fans getting bootlegs for the lost SMiLE album and reconstructing all the songs into a cohesive album. I'd be very interested in what you think, and what you reckon could change SOTSOG into a more indepth listen.

SOTSOG Revisited:

SOTSOG came at a very emotionally turbulent time for the band and in particular Noel Gallagher. Songs tittles such "Where Did It All Go Wrong?" pretty sum up his state of mind at the time. The band itself was without direction and struggling. Noel once said that DM is going out with your mates, MG is staying at home with your girl and BHN is leaving that girl to go out again. Well SOTSOG is waking up the next day, your house is trashed and that girl has left you forever. SOTSOG far from being a terrible album is in fact Oasis' darkest.

1. Fuckin' In The Bushes

I left this first as I think it starts the album with a bang. Of course its an electronic instrumental number, and rather hollow as a result. This probably best defines the DM ethic that had permitted the band since then. It had itself become rather hollow.

2. Go Let It Out

Still number two. It's always been a great song, but I think its always been a bit deceitful in its uplifting lyrics. Liam sounds like a sleazy cult leader trying to 'sell' a better tomorrow, of course it can only end in tears.

3. I Can See A Liar

Always a bit of filler, though a pretty decent rocker. The lyrics are trite but before I think it was placed in too prominent position and I think this made it stand out more. Its a good follow up to Go Let It Out.Then it peters out, a weary sigh of a weary band.

4. Where Did It All Go Wrong?

Noel breaks through Liam's inane optimism with the dark undercurrent of the album. His plea is direct and sets the tone for the rest of the album, the search to find some light in the darkness. He sounds lost on this song.

5. Gas Panic

Noel's cry is answered by Liam in this dreary song, finally letting go of the pretense and agreeing with his brother that the rock 'n' roll dream is an empty one (When I say 'dreary' I mean it in a good psychedelic way). "That my family don't seem so familiar and my enemies all know my name" is one of Liam's best sung lines and one of Noel's best lyrics.

6. Who Feels Love?

Liam has a final go at the optimism that undergoes the usual feel good vibe in most Oasis' songs. One of the few uplifting songs on the original SOTSOG it a nice break from all the building darkness and really sets the scene for Noel's raging blaster...

7. Full On

Noel's questioning turns bitter and turns into an angry scream into the void. He hollers into this with all the rage and malice he can summon, making it a powerful rocker that breaks through Gas Panic.

8. Let's All Make Believe

In songs like Acquiesce and Let There Be Love, Noel has always been a voice of reason. However after Full On its Liam who must reason with his older brother's rage on this song. Its a swapped dynamic that works to great effect on these two songs. His impassioned vocals reveal a real frailty and remains one of Oasis' most tender song.

9. Sunday Morning Call

Noel listens to Liam and once more returns as the benevolent older brother. This song was out of place on the original album, strangely uplifting lyrics but here its a good finish to a dark album, looking optimistic towards the future, Noel sounds slightly more mature, wiser.

10. Little James

Almost tucked away, it makes a good after thought. Its an innocent song, a nursery rhyme that I think in this context leads back to the Gallaghers' own childhood. A gentle ballad that doesnt end the album in fanfare but in a true spark of contentment.


Anyway there it is. Sorry for being so long but I'm a pretentious tool who has nothing better to do. I hope you enjoyed reading and I'd be interested in what you think!