Oasis: The Masterplan (2LP, 25th anniversary edition, silver vinyl, remastered) [BIG BROTHER]

Why you'll love it

This 25th anniversary edition is remastered and pressed on silver vinyl across two discs in a gatefold jacket. The Masterplan reached No. 2 in the UK, went triple platinum there and has sold 3 million copies worldwide.

This edition

• 2LP set
• 25th anniversary edition
• Silver vinyl
• Remastered
• Gatefold jacket
• Pressed in Germany

About the album

In the mid-90s Noel Gallagher was writing so many songs that some of his best ended up on the backs of singles. The Masterplan rounds up those B-sides, first meant for the US and Japan, where fans could otherwise hear them by paying for pricey European import singles.

"Acquiesce" is the big one, Liam and Noel trading verse and chorus like a sibling argument set to music. Noel takes the lead on the hushed "Talk Tonight," the wistful "Half The World Away" and the swirling title track, while "Fade Away," "Headshrinker" and "Listen Up" show the band at full roar. A live "I Am The Walrus" wears its Beatles love proudly. Owen Morris co-produced with Noel. These songs come from the singles of the band's mid-90s peak, and they carry all of that era's swagger and confidence, from the acoustic hush to the full wall of guitars.

NME's James Oldham reckoned it the band's "third best album," and the years have warmed people to it ever since. It's a bit like finding the spare room has nicer furniture than the lounge.

Also at Kops: more Oasis on vinyl · browse Rock

Tracklist

Listen

On Big Brother (cat# RKIDLP109C), a reissue of the 1998 compilation.