Exactly how I feel. And good comparison to Definitely Maybe. I think everyone would agree MWC and DD don't belong on any Oasis greatest hits album. Having an epic track like Slide Away there makes them great album tracks.
Solider On is such a great album closer, very dreamy and kind of fades into the ether. I think a lot of people on this board have come around on that. The production is absolutely amazing. However, the track before needs to be an single-level or epic song to give Soldier On proper perspective. They ended the album with Gem, Liam, Andy, Liam. What was Noel thinking?!

Once again I have to argue that AGN is a damn good track.

Keeso

I personally think that only huge fault of the album is The Nature of Reality. Although AGN and GOYHHL may not be up to par with the rest of the album, they don't ruin the flow, whereas TNOR completely ruins it for me. i agree that a really solid anthem would have saved the album and put dig out your soul up there with the first 2 records. I can honestly say that TNOR is one of the first oasis tracks i really do not like, there is nothing to it. I'm not knocking Andy Bell, i completely support there being other songwriters in the band when appropriate. But i think Noel is way to focused on giving andy gem and liam their quota on songs regardless of the quality. I think most people would agree that Noel definitly had many other songs that would have been of better quality to put at that spot rather than Nature of Reality. other than that though GREAT album, love it minus my one skip ( track 10 )

This is an incredible observation, actually. Credit to you. I can only agree with you.

I mean, I love DD and MWC, and I think both those songs are stronger than AGN and SO, but your point remains valid.

If the last quarter of DM read as such:
9.) Digsy's Dinner
10.) (As Long as they Got) Cigarettes in Hell
11.) Married With Children

It would be a more disappointing ending. Again, DD is fun and catchy, while MWC is sweet and great lyrics - so I'm not too sure we would hate those songs regardless of the #10 wedged in between them. But Slide Away does make them seem stronger, makes it seem worthwhile to listen to the full album.

Imagine if DOYS was:

9.) Ain't Got Nothing
10.) Record Machine (Improved version of course, but even the demo would work.....)
11.) Soldier On

That one little change would have made a big difference.....Instead of having 3 poor/average songs in a row, you have 2 average songs but separated by a belter of a song. I think it's more psychological if anything - it's more daunting to see 3 average songs in a row than it is to see 2 average songs but with a great one wedged in between......

What are u on about?? No difference. It's DBTT, it sold, and is just fine how it is!
DBTT is not the issue here.

ABWR the worst on the album?? Completely disagree, its a great song with a good groove, neat guitar parts, and like most of Gem's lyrics it actually sounds like he has thought about what he is singing about- which can hardly be said for any Noel's lyrical accomplishments lately..

I'm with Ringo- the song is ace.

I think in a year on or so there will be a strong argument that DBTT is more consistent than DOYS from a songwriting point of view.

STC & RM doesnt belong with the style of the album. No old 60's were allowed on this album.
TNOR is cool as fuck, one of my favourites, and in my opinion its better than a lot of the early stuff.
But, if u dont like that song, why blaming Andy? It is well known that Noel was the one who chose that song for inclusion on DOYS.

Noel said it was only Andy's fifth best song. Dave Sardy and Noel probably had the most say which tracks go on the album, so go complain to them...

Actually, Andy recorded 5 songs, in order from the one Andy thought was the best to the one he thought was the worst. Noel thought that The Nature Of Reality was amazing, and said he wanted it on there, Andy was hesitant but let it on, didn't play anything on the song, but I think he helped to produce it. So if you hate the song, blame Noel

Just like if you hate how more people started writing songs, blame Noel.

Just like if you hate Sardy, blame Noel.

Just like if you hate Be Here Now, blame Noel.

But in the end, his greatness outweighs all those things, so he still wins, and this song makes him look even better

I think you're right and wrong, Live4evr.

It definitely makes a difference what song goes second last. Generally it's accepted that the second last song be upbeat because the last song usually isn't.

If you look at most albums that are boring you'll realise it's because the last songs aren't very good. That makes it go downhill and once you get through the A material it's not longer exciting.

Look at Travis' first record, the White Album, or Zep III

I love both of those records, but you can clearly see the sound slip cos they are tacking the weak songs on later. That's so that they audience is lost later, rather than sooner!!!

To be fair, they only had three fuckin' years to make the record.

"Never got around to it" is bullshit. "Laziness" is more accurate. If you were in a band and making an album, one that you knew would be heard around the world and be part of the musical legacy on which you were judged, would you "not get around to" recording these apparently great songs which would only make it better? Course not. You'd work your fucking socks off and get them recorded. It's not painting the Sistine Chapel.