There are some albums that you just inexplicably have a soft spot for. ‘Be Here Now‘ is one of mine. It’s certainly not Oasis‘s best album by a long shot, but I’ve spent the past week or so revisiting it, and it’s still fairly brilliant, not to mention underrated. Although I give them as hard a time as anyone these days, I’m not at all embarrassed to admit that Oasis were probably the first band that I really, really loved. Their first three – even four – albums were brilliant, and although this one heralded the beginning of their ‘coke’ phase (the silly cover art says it all), it had some of my favourite Oasis tunes on it. I even bloody love ‘All Around the World‘. I’m serious!
I think ‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory’ was the first album I knew ALL the words to, and is still probably my favourite Oasis album. But as Sean pointed out, ‘Be Here Now’ was the first that I – and many of my generation – actively looked forward to being released. I still remember the video of ‘D’You Know What I Mean’ premiering on MTV, and there being queues on the day of release. It was an event. It makes me a bit sad that those days are gone.
I’d love to meet Noel Gallagher some day. He’s a great songwriter. There’s no room for sneering or snobbery in my record collection. Play this song – the best on the album – LOUD.
THE WORLD WON'T LISTEN 
Posted by Sara Habein on March 19, 2011 at 11:45 pm
I lovelovelove “The Girl in the Dirty Shirt.” Shame they never really played it that often. The perils of writing about now ex-wives…
But we all know I’m an incurable Oasis apologist/evangelist ;)
Really I tell anyone who says they haven’t done anything good since 1996 that they just haven’t been paying attention. That’s not to expect everyone to find it all perfection, but I suppose I get annoyed by the laziness in saying, “Oh well *I* quit paying attention, so clearly it’s of no worth anymore, right?”
*steps down off Oasis soapbox*
As you were.
Posted by Lauren on March 23, 2011 at 10:16 pm
Thought you might have something to add to this, Sara! :)
Posted by Sara H on March 23, 2011 at 10:18 pm
But of course. ;)
Posted by Peter81 on March 30, 2011 at 10:50 pm
If I’m in a reminiscing mood I’ll always reach for Definitely Maybe, but this was definitely the “event” album. Whats the Story… sort of just appeared one week without much fanfare. Be Here Now’s release was on the 9 o’clock news. At the time, the album reminded me of an Eric Cartman line – “Is this cool? I can’t tell”
Posted by danapronounceddonna on December 11, 2012 at 4:33 am
I love this album! It always brings back a lot of memories. http://whatilikeissounds.wordpress.com/2012/12/10/be-here-now-oasis/