The statement made by Oasis of Our first two albums against anyone else's, whilst being a strong claim, is not universally accepted as such (though I am yet to be convinced otherwise). Debate however is completely off the table when it comes to comparing the band's B-Sides to anyone.

Released in the Christmas of 1998 to service those territories that had missed out on the Oasis singles, The Masterplan is a mighty compilation of B-Sides culled from the band's first 3 albums. It is criminal how good these 'rejected' songs are, for most musical acts would kill for these sorts of tracks in their repertoire. Put together as an album it is near embarrassing how much better this is compared to most people's actual releases.

The Liam and Noel co-sung 'Acquiesce' still makes it into their tour setlist while 'Fade
Away' and the title track are fan anthems as much as 'Live Forever' and 'Don't Look Back In Anger'. But the beauty of the album is to reflect the side of Oasis we don't often get to see. The Bacharach stylings of 'Going Nowhere' indicate that Noel is capable of playing the pop card while the tender 'Talk Tonight' not only highlights a particular point in time for the band (Noel fucking off during a U.S. tour) but that stripped of the stadium sized sound, the band sound just as massive.

It is only upon reflection that you notice the glaring omission of cracking tracks (something which should only be said for a Greatest Hits compilation but for Oasis is an exception) like 'Step Out' and 'The Fame' that it comes to pass that a double album may not have been our of the question, certainly a volume 2 is on the cards one day.

Having collected most of their singles throughout the years (just a few to go) it is fair to say the quality of their B-Sides has diminished a little though when you take into account the final track listing for 2000's Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants one comes to the conclusion that had the B-Sides from that era been used, we might be writing off that album as such a disaster.

The unnecessary inclusion of The Swamp Song aside, The Masterplan is clear evidence that Oasis (bar none) ruled the years 1994 to 1997.