The history of pop music is littered with artists that came on strong before a seemingly endless long, slow fade. But the case of Oasis is unique. Every album comes with the promise that THIS IS THE ALBUM where they finally get back on track. Of course, it never happens, but we fall for it every time. People get their hopes up over and over again, only to have them dashed by the latest batch of uninspired music from the Brothers Gallagher.
How is it possible that Oasis were so good from 1994 through 1998 and so atrocious afterwards? Now that they have been mediocre for nearly twice as long (ten years) as they were radiant (five), one wonders what happened. Well, I do.
I have three theories:
- The Man From Stratford — Noel Gallagher is not really the person who wrote all those great songs, and the original songwriter has died, retired, or been replaced. In a sense this is what happened, since the rest of the group is now allowed to write songs to disastrous effect. Strains of “Paul is Dead.”
- Franny & Zooey — When Liam expressed an interest in songwriting, Noel, out of fraternal resentment, began withholding his songwriting services from his ungrateful little brother. Like Salinger, he has been sitting on reams of his best work for years. Indeed, the oft-rumored Noel Gallagher solo/acoustic album is the Waiting for Godot of Rock ‘n Roll.
- Faust — Noel made a deal with Satan that has now expired: “Noel Gallagher, in exchange for your mortal soul, I will make you the greatest songwriter on earth for a five-year period. After that, you are completely on your own, pal.” I think this one might actually be it.