Review: Oasis - (What's The Story) Morning Glory
(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?
Oasis
Creation Records
Oasis’ critically acclaimed second album, (What’s The Story) Morning Glory, sold a record-breaking 347,000 copies and spent 10 weeks at the number one spot in the UK Albums Chart. Displaying a massive departure from their debut, Definitely Maybe, the album featured a larger emphasis on catchy choruses and stringed instruments. Today, the album is as relevant as ever as the deluxe edition was reissued at the end of 2014.
Opening up with an acoustic guitar, Oasis show a more raw contrast to their previous release before going into their signature light-hearted twang of electric guitars. The first track, ‘Hello’, acts as an introduction to the album, welcoming all those listening with muffled guitar and drums. All of these uplifting elements provide the perfect antidote for the dingy effects of the grunge movement that took the world by storm in the years previous.
Lyrically, the album delves into themes of loss and living in a working class world, with lines such as: “All your dreams are made/When you’re chained to the mirror and the razor blade.” Although it may seem that these lyrics would suit a more depressing, pessimistic-sounding album, Oasis turn this around in the chorus with more get up and go, leading the end result to be motivational for all those trying to escape the class structure. Even today, these lyrics ring true, as they’re applicable to everyone.
2015 signals the 20th anniversary of (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, yet regardless of its age, the album remains as relevant as it was back in 1995. With its signature guitar tone alongside its inspirational songs such as ‘Champagne Supernova’ and the classic ‘Wonderwall’, Oasis are the fundamental starting point for all rising rock bands.
8/10
Charlie Hill