Definitely Maybe

Taken as one complete 50 minute album, all tracks effortlessly create pictures in the listener's mind of what life was like back in the early 1990s in John Major's Tory Government. 'Cigarettes And Alcohol' is perhaps the defining moment in Oasis' fledgling career: if Noel could write something that good at such a relatively young [and inexperienced] age then it was a joy to imagine what kind of songs he could writing in 10 years time...

Unfortunately, Noel has since lost his creative edge but these timeless tunes on Defintely Maybe will be around ever and with the exception of 'Digsys Dinner' are rightly hailed as classics!

The album was criticised at the time for being a Beatles-soundalike. Oasis played up to it by constantly sourcing the fab four as their major influence, and the critics pounced. The Beatles are without a doubt one of the best bands of all-time but Definitely Maybe is one of musics classic recordings. There is not a track on it that would look out of place on a Beatles LP and a few would have made it to the red or blue albums.

It opens with the dirty guitar intro of 'Rock'n'Roll Star' shaking the speakers - and this is a record to play loud. As the drums kick in you find yourself strolling around an imaginary stage, finally reaching for the mic as Liam blurts out "I lived my life in the city". This is a song that makes everyone believe they can rule the world - the ultimate curtains-closed air-microphone rock-out.

'Shakermaker' is probably the weakest song on the album but even that was worthy of release as the band's second single. Think 'I'd Like to teach the World to Sing' performed by the Sex Pistols.

And this brings us to 'Live Forever'. Noel's finest lyrics, Liam's finest vocal and the finest song of the decade. "Maybe I will never be / All the things that I want to be / Now is not the time to cry / Nows the time to find out why". It doesn't get better than this.

'Up in the sky' is classic Oasis rock, 'Columbia' an overpowering filthy guitar track which has to be played loud. These lead to 'Supersonic' the incredible debut single with slightly suspect lyrics and 'Bring it on down', the albums most indie track.

The TRex driven 'Cigarettes and Alcohol' is one of the anthems of the Britpop generation. The album swaggers with a couldn't give a f**k attitude and this is it's crescendo.

'Digsy's Dinner' is a funny, bouncy song and 'Slide Away' is mysteriously sexy; just lie back and let the guitars wash over you. 'Married with Children' is an acoustic gem, ideal for putting on after your girlfriend has left you. It ends the album and leaves you feeling somewhat smug.

As you can probably tell, I'm an Oasis fan. This album is the reason why. For anyone who believes they have a comprehensive record collection of the 90s, this CD is a must. If you were there at Knebworth or Maine Road you don't need persuading. If you listen to British music in 1994/5 you ought to know. If you are a living breathing human being who likes glorious melodies, powerful vocals and great rhythms, then you need this album. It was Britpop. It is the album of the nineties.