The Masterplan is an extraordinary collection of B-sides originally featured on singles from Oasis’ era-defining first three albums, Definitely Maybe (1994), (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? (1995), and Be Here Now (1997).

Far from being inferior to the singles they backed, many of the 14 tracks that feature on The Masterplan have become as cherished as the band’s biggest singles from that seminal period.

The album includes tracks ‘Acquiesce’, ‘Half The World Away’, ‘Talk Tonight’, Oasis’ iconic live cover of The Beatles’ ‘I Am The Walrus’ and the epic title track. Noel has often described The Masterplan as one of the best songs he has ever written.

Big Brother Recordings Ltd today announces the release of limited-edition collector’s formats to celebrate the silver anniversary of Oasis’ iconic album The Masterplan.

Twenty-five years since the original release, November 3rd, 2023 will see new formats made available including CD, cream cassette, and limited-edition double vinyl formats (heavyweight silver, green and black marble and black).

The new formats feature remastered audio, taken from the Chasing The Sun reissues - available for the first time as one collection.

SIDE 1:
1. Acquiesce (Remastered)
2. Underneath The Sky (Remastered)
3. Talk Tonight (Remastered)
4. Going Nowhere (Remastered)

SIDE 2:
1. Fade Away (Remastered)
2. The Swamp Song (Remastered)
3. I Am The Walrus – Live Glasgow Cathouse June ‘94 (Remastered)

SIDE 3:
1. Listen Up (Remastered)
2. Rockin’ Chair (Remastered)
3. Half The World Away (Remastered)

SIDE 4:
1. (It’s Good) To Be Free (Remastered)
2. Stay Young (Remastered)
3. Headshrinker (Remastered)
4. The Masterplan (Remastered)

In the 1990s, Oasis were known to give fans their money’s worth when it came to singles, often producing a B-side that was of a similar standard to the A-side. However, not all fans bought the singles, so a selection of their best B-sides were released on this compilation album. With this release, their biggest mistake became truly evident; a whole studio album’s worth of great songs were basically wasted on B-sides.

Their strength is proven by the fact that tracks such as Acquiesce, Talk Tonight, Half The World Away and the titular The Masterplan are now among the band’s most popular songs; with the latter often being cited as the best song Noel Gallagher has ever written.

The standard is kept this high for the majority of the album, with the raw-rocking Listen Up and honest Rockin’ Chair being two additional standouts. The songs are from a few years’ worth of singles, which means in terms of style, there is something for everyone.

It also features the harder rock sound of Definitely Maybe in some tracks (Listen Up reminds me a lot of their debut single Supersonic), as well as the softer, more anthemic sound of Morning Glory in others.

There are also a few artistic experiments that we never got on albums, with the Bacharach-esque Going Nowhere and a Beatles cover in I Am The Walrus both being memorable. However, this experimentation also delivers the album’s low point, in my humble opinion, with The Swamp Song, an instrumental which is a bit boring and pointless.

Most of these songs were recorded at the same time as Oasis’ two best albums, so the band are on top of their game, especially Liam Gallagher, whose honest and unique style of singing sets Oasis apart from their Britpop peers.

In summary, this album should basically be treated as another studio album. I didn’t personally get into Oasis till the early 2000’s, and for a few years I assumed it was. It is better than any of their post-Britpop releases, and several songs on Be Here Now pale in comparison to the standout tracks here.

So if you are looking to get into Oasis, or Britpop in general, this album maybe definitely (!) shouldn’t be overlooked, as its highlights are some of the best of the era.

The Masterplan charted at No.2 in the UK Official Album Chart UK selling over 122,000 copies in its first week. It went on to be certified triple platinum and has sold over three million copies worldwide.

Official Purchase Links

www.oasisinet.com