Oasis - Acquiesce/The Masterplan (Big Brother)

UK release date: 13 November 2006

Widely thought of as the best Oasis single that never was, Acquiesce eventually makes its A-side debut in order to trail the forthcoming Gallagher Bros 'best of', Stop The Clocks.

Originally the B-side of Some Might Say, Acquiesce reminds you in four and a half perfect minutes, exactly why Oasis are still one of the biggest bands in the country. From the opening snatch of "what's the story, morning glory" at the start, through to the duelling vocals of Noel and Liam declaring "we believe in each other", this is Oasis at their anthemic, powerful best.

The Masterplan (originally found on the B-side to Wonderwall) is another marvel, albeit a calmer one. With a string orchestra and even a backward guitar solo, it's a bit of an epic and quite beautiful. The lyrics could even be described as a bit spiritual - not a word you'd usually associate with Manchester's finest - and it's easy to concur with Noel Gallagher's view that this is the best song he's ever written.

Obsessive Oasis fans will already have both of these, but to everyone else it's a welcome reminder of the days when Oasis recorded so many good songs they could afford to chuck these gems away as B-sides.

John Murphy

Source: www.musicomh.com