The 1995 release of (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? transformed Oasis from a popular band in the UK into a literal worldwide phenomenon. Their ascent to superstardom checked all the boxes– punk rock attitude, Beatles-esque melodies, and a lead singer with a distinctly British accent that harkened back to the golden-age of rock. All of this was underscored by the fact that the two brothers who formed the backbone of the band, Noel Gallagher (lead songwriter and guitarist) and Liam Gallagher (lead vocals), had legendary egos and even more legendary beef, struggling to make it through the recording sessions of this album and the subsequent world tour without calling the whole thing off.
Tumultuous relationships have laid the groundwork for seminal rock bands throughout history (See: Fleetwood Mac, Lennon/McCartney, Axl Rose vs. just about every member of Guns N’ Roses ever), but the Gallagher’s spats with one another are on an entirely different planet. The mercurial emotional state of the band’s two leaders undeniably benefited this album, leading to a wide range of creative output– you have the tenderness of songs like “Wonderwall” and “Champagne Supernova” juxtaposed with the hectic noise of “Morning Glory” and “Hello”, all on one record. That approach defined the 90’s in many ways, giving alternative rock artists the freedom to explore a wider palette from which to paint.
A final note– if you’re looking for a cool party trick, go buy yourself an acoustic guitar, learn to play “Wonderwall”, and bring it to a children’s birthday party filled with moms and dads in their 30’s and 40’s. When you hit that chorus and everyone starts singing along, I guarantee it’ll be hard to tell the difference between the plastic chair you’re sitting on and what it feels like being on stage at Glastonbury.
Standout Songs: “Wonderwall”, “Morning Glory”, “Champagne Supernova”
