20th anniversary of the debut release of Oasis’ first album Definitely Maybe
Definitely Maybe frequently appears on ‘best album of all time’ polls, including a No.1 placing in a 2008 Q Magazine/HMV poll of the ‘Greatest British Albums’.
Definitely Maybe was originally released in August 1994 and was an immediate critical and commercial smash. The fastest selling debut album ever (at the time), it went seven-times platinum in the UK (over 2 million copies), and sold 5 million worldwide.
Definitely Maybe has exceeded 2 x Platinum sales in New Zealand.
In their 14-year recording career Oasis sold over 70 million albums worldwide, had 22 consecutive UK Top 10 singles, 7 No.1 studio albums, but, more than that, they helped define a generation. Now Big Brother Recordings are to reissue the band’s classic albums in chronological order as part of the new Chasing The Sun series. Each album has been remastered and available with rare and exclusive bonus content. With 2014 marking the 20th anniversary of its original release, Definitely Maybe will be the first release in the series.
Review:
Definitely Maybe manages to encapsulate much of the best of British rock
& roll – from the Beatles to the Stone Roses – in the space of
11 songs. Oasis' sound is louder and more guitar-oriented than any British band
since the Sex Pistols, and the band is blessed with the excellent songwriting of
Noel Gallagher. Gallagher writes perfect pop songs, offering a platform for his
brother Liam's brash, snarling vocals. Not only does the band have melodies,
but they have the capability to work a groove with more dexterity than most
post-punk groups. But what makes Definitely Maybe so intoxicating is that it
already resembles a greatest-hits album. From the swirling rush of “Rock
‘n’ Roll Star,” through the sinewy “Shakermaker,” to the heartbreaking
“Live Forever,” each song sounds like an instant classic.
All Music Guide – Stephen Thomas Erlewine