Sheffield Writer, Music /TV reviewer, & Northern Opinion Pieces

Showing posts with label music review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music review. Show all posts

Sunday, 29 September 2024

OASIS - TEN OF THEIR BEST SONGS?…

 


... (in my opinion) 

Words by Ryan Oxley 


News of OASIS returning to the music scene has reignited my passion for the 1990s Britpop legends. I didn't rush to Ticketmaster to be robbed by dynamic pricing as I’d seen the lads twice; once in 1997 on the BE HERE NOW tour (my first ever gig, at Sheffield Arena) and at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester for the 2005 DONT BELIEVE THE TRUTH  tour. As an original 1990s fan, I didn't have the mod hair-do, but I did have 20 Benson & Hedges, a Ben Sherman shirt, and an acoustic guitar - I was even in a band. I had all the albums on CD, and those b-sides were so strong they could have been lead singles. 



For my latest article, I thought I’d crack out an OASIS listicle and give you TEN of my absolute OASIS favourite tracks; 


10. HEY NOW: Track 8 on their second album was always a stand-out for me. Heavier than other songs on this class rock album. It’s a stunning song and not necessarily one of their most famous tracks



9.  CAST NO SHADOW: the guitar chords are very ‘Wonderwall’ and this song, apparently inspired by The Verve’s Richard Ashcroft has a strong imagery at the heart of its lyrics. 



8. GAS PANIC: 4th album syndrome it isn't, as Noel’s lament to the panic of drug addiction (from ‘Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants’) still manages to be anthemic, and could almost be a sister song to Champagne Supernova. 


7. DON'T GO AWAY: This football stadium rock anthem singalong contains all the hallmarks of an Oasis classic. Liam’s tender vocals and Noel’s masterful guitar lead remind me why the Oasis reunion is so important. 


6. ACQUIESCE: I spoke about B-Sides at the start of this article - this is what I meant. A barnstorming rock anthem, this was the other side to the band's first N0.1 single ‘Some Might Say’ 



5. HALF THE WORLD AWAY: released in 1994, as the flip-side to ‘Whatever’ this B-side is one of my favourite songs ever, never mind an OASIS track, and of course the theme tune to the BBC’s greatest ever sitcom, The Royle Family



4. LIVE FOREVER: the early 90s seem so far away, but many of these songs still sound so vivid and are the soundtrack of my youth. This song is stunning!: that lead riff, an all-important love song, and without a doubt, one of Liam’s finest vocal performances. 



3. SHE’S ELECTRIC: Intended as a song on ‘Definitely Maybe’  this is an OASIS track from (What's The Story) Morning Glory, and is standard on most indie radio stations, although never released as a single - a sing-a-long stonker. A story that could easily have been in The Royle Family this song is a working-class anthem, featuring Liam’s falsetto and The Beatles ‘With a Little Help from My Friends' ending. 



2. SUPERSONIC: I've a vague memory of seeing them perform this on The Word, that railway rooftop video, and what a debut - a statement of rock n roll intent that still sounds huge decades later. What a way for OASIS to start a career. 



1. SLIDE AWAY: the production of this song is different from every other song on ‘Definitely Maybe’ and it’s audible, arguably one of their finest songs. Again, we have that juxtaposition of Noels guitar/songwriting genius and Liam's incredible vocals.  


Let's hope this reuniting gives fans everything they deserve in 2025. Songs that didn't make this list would include: Wonderwall, Stop Crying Your Heart Out, Talk Tonight, Guess God Thinks I’m Abel, Dont Look Back In Anger (wildly overrated) Stand By Me, Roll With It, Fade Awayand so many more! 


What are your favourite OASIS tracks? Feel free to comment! 


www.ryanoxleywriter.blogspot.com

Sunday, 22 September 2024

GIG REVIEW / GLEN HANSARD / LIVERPOOL / APRIL 2024


Glen Hansard. Image (c) @rybazoxo

Saturday 13th April 2024 St George’s Hall, Liverpool, UK 

Words by Ryan Oxley 


For me, ONCE is one of the finest indie music films ever. Released in 2007, the film is a musical that stars, and has a soundtrack co-written by Glen Hansard. Before the film's release, I did recognise Glen from the cast of The Commitments, the celebrated Irish film based on a book by Roddy Doyle but I wasn't aware of his incredible talent. 


Glen Hansard. Image (c) by @rybazoxo 

Glen Hansard is a journeyman/troubadour of a musician, and following 'ONCE' I became an immediate fan of his solo work, The Swell Season, and The Frames. Based in the UK, I doubted I'd ever get a chance to see this regular European touring artist (who’s also hugely popular in the USA) then I found out he was playing a gig in my favourite music city (sorry Manchester) I grabbed a ticket online, booked a bedsit for the night, and got a train to Liverpool. Promoting his latest albumAll That Was East Is West Of Me Now’, I downloaded it on Spotify and had the tracks on repeat.  I was excited to see if Glen would do any songs from the ONCE soundtrack, and he peppered them throughout the gig, tracks from the new album are also folksy balladeering stories that enamoured this small venue, and enthusiastic crowd. 


St George's Hall, Liverpool. Image (c) by @rybazoxo


Of course, I took a few images, and as you can see, St George’s Hall is a beautiful venue - historically, aesthetically, and acoustically. Glen is also a great storyteller - in between songs, he told a few funny tales of life, love, ancestry, and everything you’d expect from an Irishman. ONCE is a timeless classic, and it was worth waiting 17 years to see Glen Hansard live.


Watch my YouTube video ofWhen Your Minds Made Upfrom this special gig here 


Learn more about Glen Hansard & buy his latest album here 



www.ryanoxleywriter.blogspot.com 


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