Search - Oasis :: Time Flies...1994-2009 (2 CD)

The singles collection (not a "best of")

Paul Allaer | Cincinnati | 06/18/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Music: 4 stars; Compilation: 3.5 stars; Economic value: 5 stars; Relevance: 3 stars



Oasis imploded last year after the umpteenth internal fighting and disbanded. Frankly, after a run of 15 years, it was time. The band by then had run out of musical ideas for a number of years, even if their live performances continued at times to fascinate. In 2006, when the label told the band it would issue a 'greatest hits' compilation whether the band liked it or not, Noel Gallagher stepped up and took matters in his own hands, resulting in the curious mess that was "Stop the Clocks", a compilation that left many people scratching their heads. Now comes this.



"Time Flies 1994-2009" (2CDs; 27 tracks; 136 min.) collects all of the band's 26 UK singles, plus "Champaigne Supernova", which was a US-only single. Let's state up front that is is not, and is not intended to be, a 'best of Oasis'. Indeed if that were the case, a lot more music of the band's essential 1994-1996 era (covering the first 2 albums and the numerous essential B sides from these albums' singles) would be included. So instead, you get all of the singles, nothing more, nothing less. That means a lot of music from the post-1997 era, when the band's musical genius started dropping off. There were still some great moments in the last 10 years or so ("Hindu Times" for example), but alas a lot of mediocre singles as well. Very annoyingly, this compilation is not chronological and the sequencing makes little or no sense ("Cigarettes and Alcohol" followed by "Song Bird"? "Champaigne Supernova" starting off CD2 instead of finishing CD1? etc. etc.). But at least you get 2 CDs worth of music here (unlike on "Stop the Clocks"). But no new tracks whatsoever.



For anyone truly wanting the best of Oasis, just buy the first 2 album and the odds-and-ends compilation of the early years "The Masterplan". I suppose that this compilation is aimed strictly at the casual fan of Oasis, if there is such a thing, and at that, this is not bad and it's certainly selling at a very fan-friendly price. Much more interesting is the "deluxe edition" of "Time Flies", which comes with an extra CD and DVD. The extra CD brings the band's last concert in its entirety (London, July 21, 2009, a pretty good show at that), and the extra DVD finally compiles, for the first time ever, all of the band's music videos (with commentary). I've seen Oasis multiple times over the years, my first time in 1996 on the "Morning Story" tour here in the US, and what a musical force they were back then. I'll be interested to see if either Liam or Noel will have anything relevant to bring in their upcoming music efforts.

"

Singles!

Carlos Donoso Kronfle | Miami, Florida | 06/21/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've read some reviews here from people that have no rationale in reviewing an item that is clear on the portrayal of what it contains. This is NOT a greatest hits album, this is NOT a best of album, this IS Oasis' singles compilation. If you are an Oasis fan like myself, and have had the pleasure in hearing all their singles throughout their career, this is worth owning since you have all those songs in one album. And obviously you should know what songs will be part of this collection; No surprises here, nor anything shocking. The description is clear of the item being reviewed.



If you are expecting a Greatest Hits album keep waiting for it because who knows how long it will take. If you are looking for a Best Of, you have `Stop the Clocks' released in 2006. In fact, if you want their B sides (or at least most of them) get 'The Masterplan' released in 1998. If you want their Singles all in one album, then this is a great buy.



I also encourage people that are not aware of Oasis singles to get this.



5 stars!!!"

A much better Oasis comp, but not quite definitive.

Barack Obama | Washington DC | 06/26/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I greatly disliked the first Oasis compilation Stop The Clocks for many reasons, not least of which was its over-emphasis on the early years while discarding many fine tracks from the band's later albums, including all of Be Here Now.



Time Flies corrects many of the errors of Stop The Clocks, but is it quite definitive? Not exactly, but it's close.



For starters, this improves greatly over Stop The Clocks by including tracks from Be Here Now, and while this doesn't have fine album cuts like "Don't Go Away" or "It's Gettin' Better Man," the inclusion of Be Here Now material is definitely welcome. Secondly, the inclusion of post-Morning Glory staples such as "Stop Crying Your Heart Out," "Lord Don't Slow Me Down," "Who Feels Love," and "The Shock of the Lightning" helps to round out the history of the band, and their presence is also greatly welcome.



That's the good. Unfortunately, Time Flies leans a bit too much on Heathen Chemistry, and that comes at the expense of some truly great tracks. Songs not here include "Rock N' Roll Star," "Slide Away," "Rockin' Chair," "Stay Young," "Fade Away," and all of those would be tremendous additions to these discs. Furthermore, the exclusion of "Acquiesce," one of the band's greatest songs, is an inexcusable omission.



However, this is a much better collection than Stop The Clocks, and a decent introduction to one of Britpop's finest bands...though it won't replace Definitely Maybe and Morning Glory."