Stop The Clocks [2CD + DVD] [CD+DVD, Limited Edition]

I'd heard Noel do a few interviews before this album was released and it brought the choices of some of the tracks into perspective. He explained like many people he got into The Beatles by listening to the Red & Blue 62-66, 67- 70 double albums (me included). Because the record company put the thumbscrews on to release a greatest hits he thought it'd be better to give a broad review of what he considered the bands best songs and what would make up a good concert set list. This is what Stop the clocks really is a double CD of what a great Oasis gig would be like.

It's true that a lot of the songs feature on either Definitely Maybe or Morning Glory but when you listen back to those albums they do stand above the likes of Be Here Now or Standing on the Shoulders of Giants. Songs like Rock N' Roll Star, Slide Away, Morning Glory and Champagne Supernova may not have been single but their always highlights of going to see Oasis live. As for putting some B Sides on there you could put The Masterplan and Acquiesce on any of the albums and think they were the singles from the album.

It's true I do miss some of my own personal favourites like D'you know what I mean? and Stop Crying Your Heart Out but there are 18 quality tunes on there which make up for it. How many bands release paint by numbers greatest hits not many do it this way which is part of what makes Oasis the best band of a great era.

The bonus DVD is well worth the extra money. The 40 minute interview with Liam and Noel (well mainly Noel) is full of the kind of insight that makes the definitely maybe DVD a great watch. My personal favourite part is Champagne Supernova live at Knebworth with John Squire as it brings together parts of the two greatest Manchester bands of all time.

If you've already got all the albums and B sides it may not be the greatest purchase you ever make. But if this is the start of your Oasis collection then this is a great introduction to some of the best songs every created. With classics like Live Forever, Some Might Say, Don't Look Back In Anger, Cigarettes & Alcohol and Wonderwall on the 2 CD's you can't argue with the quality!!

I suppose with a back catalogue as big as Oasis, there is no way every great song can make it onto the album such as this!

All the classics are there, but it is a real shame that Noel hates Be Here Now, cos there are some good stuff on that which has more right of place than some of the songs that are on here already!

Great selection though, but would be even better if Columbia, Whatever, Stand by Me and Hindu Times were there.

I do love Oasis and no doubt this collection has some classic songs on it (Live Forever, Slide Away, Wonderwall, etc), so really it should breeze through with 5 stars easily.

However, 18 tracks for a double album is simply not enough! Basically this album could easily have been released in 1996, as it only has a mere 4 songs included from there last 4 albums! Where's Stop Crying Your Heart Out? Where's Stand By Me? Where's Gas Panic!? Where's Little By Little? All missing. They could EASILY have included all of these onto the album if they wanted to. And yet, even looking at the first two albums, there's still a wealth of great songs missing (Sad Song, Whatever, Rocking Chair, Hello etc.)

Basically this collection is far from complete. Buy anything up to and including Be Here Now, and if you like it get the rest of the albums, if you just buy Stop the Clocks you'll be missing out on so much! However, like I said, the album does contain a large amount of good songs regardless, so if you are tempted, at least buy Be Here Now afterwards. (There are no songs from Be Here Now on the album, dispite it possibly being their best work)