Vinyl Vault

The recent news that the brothers Gallagher had severed ties, yet again, got this reviewer to thinking about the time when Oasis was known for more than just bickering and onstage meltdowns. 1995’s (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?, the Manchester band’s second album, captured a moment in time when these trash-talking Brits were on top of the rock world. Was it all just hype? A song-by-song review should settle it.

(What’s The Story) Morning Glory? (1995, Epic Records)

Side A

  A1. “Hello”
This rip-snorting opener, with Liam Gallagher’s signature snarl and whine in full effect, also featured one of the more unfortunate aspects of the band’s legacy: Brother Noel’s tendency to bite other songs so hard that they eventually bit him back, as in this case when he eventually had to share writing credit with glam-rock notable Gary Glitter.

  A2. “Roll With It”
The Revolver-like combo of grinding guitars and bright melodies carries this song with a relatively light message of self-empowerment a long way.

  A3. “Wonderwall”
The band’s most enduring hit takes its title from an obscure George Harrison LP. The sadly insistent melody and Liam’s piercing croon still haunt no matter how many times you spin it. Give credit as well to Andy White’s affecting rat-a-tat on drums. This is one instance when the band can stake the claim to having produced a classic on par with the ones of their heroes.

  A4. “Don’t Look Back in Anger”
Noel has admitted that the opening piano riff was taken from “Imagine” and some of the lyrics were ripped from John Lennon journal entries. But this soaring ballad transcends mere homage (or rip-off, for that matter) with its open-hearted beauty. And if the lyrics don’t connect in any narrative sense, they’re so in tune to the song’s meter and rhythm that it’s futile to resist. Just sing along. Great guitar solo and, on this song, lead singing by Noel.

  A5. “Hey Now!”
There’s some interesting self-examination going on here, although it’s easy to just chuck all that and get caught up in yet another peerless tune and the crunching guitars.

Side B

  B1. “Some Might Say”
Although it’s another catchy song, it’s also sounds a bit like everything else that has come before. Just a tad forgettable.

  B2. “Cast No Shadow”
This atmospheric, languid track almost becomes ponderous, but then the refrain rolls in and the brothers’ harmonizing pulls you back into the hypnotic sway.

  B3. “She’s Electric”
If you’re looking for Beatles comparisons here, imagine a bouncy McCartney concoction like “Good Day Sunshine” or “Lovely Rita.” Liam doesn’t quite pull off the warm-hearted vibe that’s required though, and the lyrics start to get precious toward the end.

  B4. “Morning Glory”
Those who bemoan that this album lacked the thunder of the band’s hit debut from the previous year should have been somewhat satiated with this tough rocker. There’s a darkness to it, both in the sludgy riff and in the ominous lyrics, that plays well off some of the softer stuff elsewhere on the record.

  B5. “Champagne Supernova”
A psychedelic tour de force. The soft acoustic strumming builds into a potent tower of sound that washes all around Liam’s indestructible lead vocal. That’s The Jam’s Paul Weller providing the squealing lead guitar. And Noel’s lyrics make no sense and all the sense in the world at the same time. The band tried epics like this on subsequent releases, but none carried it off with the brilliance of “Champagne Supernova.”

The Bottom Line

I was surprised upon listening to this album again at how well the songs hold up, how it doesn’t sound the least bit dated, and how unforced its majesty seems even with the ambitious nature of the songs. One listen to (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? should tell you what the big deal about Oasis was before all the extracurricular activity began to blur it.

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