Mar 272007
Gerry Todd’s recent All-Star Jam, which drew comparisons between an Oasis song and an old number by The Stranglers got me thinking about the 2005 album from Oasis, Don’t Believe the Truth. It’s not a bad album, but that’s not what I care to discuss.
It’s never been a secret that Oasis has lifted hooks from the great works of others, but what’s been overlooked in reviews for their last few albums is that the band is branching out in its recycling of classic rock riffage. Here’s a song that demonstrates the band’s newfound skills. Let me know what you’re hearing in this one – the lifts may be multi-faceted – and in coming days I’ll roll out some other examples of what passes for growth.
Jesus & Mary Chain, Sonic Youth, Velvet Underground – and that’s only in the first few secs… I can’t put my finger on it!!!
…’warm jets’ era eno…spaceman three…
king, is it a “newfound skill” when a band’s penchant for lifting hooks “has never been a secret”, but they’re now lifting hooks from new sources? nah.
i’m not sure what you’re trying to tell us about oasis.
I could only listen to a bit less than a minute ’cause i hait them so much, but I heard ‘I’m waitin for my man’, “monkey finger” from ‘come together’ and something about a “trick of the light” which is ripped off from GBV.
When little Jamie Mahon played bass for Marah, they made a record with Oasis’ producer. Jamie said that he stuck the brothers in a hotel room with Martha and the Vandellas records and motown shit and told them to steal/write new songs.
“Tractor Rape Chain” – GBV
“Waiting for the Man” – Velvets
but especially:
“Eve of Destruction” – Barry McGuire
plus some Springsteen-esque harmonica.
ac
“Waitin for the Man” and “Heroes”
You guys are nailing this exercise! You’ve thought of a half dozen sources that I hadn’t considered. The harmonica is the one thing that still has me scratching my head. Maybe it is like the harmonica in “Promised Land”. I’ll have to listen to it with Boss ears.
I’ll have another track up in the coming days. Check back with me.
And to answer the question whether this counts as a “newfound skill”…I say it does. If lifting from other songs is their bread and butter, Oasis is entering 7-grain territory.
“And to answer the question whether this counts as a “newfound skill”…I say it does. If lifting from other songs is their bread and butter, Oasis is entering 7-grain territory.”
ed, take it from someone who knows…(have you heard the filthy ripoffs my band has committed?). it’s not a newfound skill. it’s just a better record collection.
in fact, if anything, the more you do it, the less obvious your sources should be. but oasis’ sources have never been more obvious than they are in this song. i don’t hear any new skillz, yo.
Mott & Hedgehoppers’ Anonymous