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Artist:
Oasis
Album
Title: Stop The Clocks
Label:
Sony BMG
Bones:
 
Summary:
The Good, the Bad & The Contractually Obligated Part 1
Reviewed
By: 'Disco' Stu McPhee
The Good, The Bad & The Contractually Obligated Part 1: Taking a look at 3 of the world's biggest acts and their respective new compilations.
Click here for Part 2 & Part 3.
This here is the very definition of turning a potential record company cash grab into a fine document that a band can be proud of. By now, everyone is aware that Oasis never wanted to release a Greatest Hits until they called it a day. When they chose to part ways with Sony, it became apparent that the company were planning a compilation much to the chagrin of The Gallagher's.
Rather than allowing Sony to simply slap together the band's 25 singles on a double disc without any thought whatsoever, Noel and Co. have wisely taken the reins and released Stop The Clocks that gives a much more rounded picture of the legendary Manchester outfit than a singles collection ever would.
Though Oasis are a great singles band, they have also had deep album cuts and B Sides that have often been as good, if not better than the A Sides. Therefore it was essential to include songs that the casual observer should be aware of. B-Sides like 'The Masterplan' and 'Acquiesce' sit comfortably next to the singles they appeared on ('Wonderwall' and 'Some Might Say' respectively) while 'Slide Away' from their debut album should have been a single with Liam delivering an awesome vocal.
When coming up with the track listing for Stop The Clocks they apparently wanted it set out like a pretend gig so it was natural that they tended to lean towards the songs that get played live quite often. Because of this, their third album Be Here Now is not represented at all which can be seen as rewriting history a little but is a minor quibble in the grand scheme of things.
What was surprising (yet pleasing) to see was the inclusion of lesser known B-Side 'Talk Tonight.' An acoustic number sung by Noel, it details his brief AWOL from the band in the early days on a U.S. tour. For an album that prides itself on telling the whole story, you can't get anymore historically accurate than 'Talk Tonight'.
Ending with the 'sung from the balconies' anthem 'Don't Look Back In Anger', Stop The Clocks is not only a killer listen but a fine blueprint on how a collection should be.
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