Oasis Celebrate The 30th Anniversary with Reissue of Definitely Maybe

Music Review | 7th Sept, 2024 Definitely Maybe 30th Anniversary (2CD Edition)

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of their debut album Definitely Maybe, Oasis have released a special edition in a number of formats, including a 2CD set.

Originally released on 29th August 1994, the album sold 100,000 copies in its first four days and within a week the album had become the UK's fastest selling debut at the time.

While there would be hints of The Beatles in their later releases Oasis's debut couldn't be further from the fab-four. Packed with heavy riffs, a wall of distorted guitars and Liams snarling vocals, the music that forms Definitely Maybe sounds closer to T-Rex, Slade and The Sex Pistols than it does the Liverpudlians.

The album is filled with Oasis classics from the open track Rock 'n' Roll Star, to other fan favorites such as Cigarettes & Alcohol, Live Forever, Supersonic and Slide Away.

The 30th Anniversary 2CD edition comes with a sleeve displaying the original artwork, minus the band. Inside the main cover is a booklet featuring images and captions, along with new sleeve notes provided by Creation Records boss Alan McGee and journalist Hamish MacBain.

While the original release is a British Rock'n'Roll classic, the second disc contains the previously discarded original recording session that gives an idea how the band sounded in their early formation.

Taken from the original Monnow Valley sessions the bonus disc features 8 recordings along with a further 8 tracks recorded at Sawmills, without overdubs.

Both sessions show a tamer side to what would eventually become Oasis's trademark big sound. The two stand out tracks are Live Forever which is not far from being just an acoustic song and Sad Song, a version that features Liam Gallagher delivering the vocals, instead of brother Noel.

While the original release of Definitely Maybe is still available, the bonus material is a must have for Oasis fans who might be interested in hearing the band in a more raw form.

The tracks on CD2 show that Oasis were set on the right course musically, but had yet to capture the final sound that was achieved by producer Owen Morris, who would work on the final mix of the original album.

Photo Credit: The Beat.ie

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