Oasis: Familiar to Millions

Epic

Playing time: 1:37:38

Christopher Tocher

Monumental acts emerge in pop music far too infrequently. In our time of boy bands, super girls and poxy blends of fusion, we have been blessed by the arrival of Oasis. They torpedoed into the Brit music scene in the early '90s and not only became a phenomenon overnight, but defined that era of musical diversity. Six albums and countless tours later, Oasis still continue to rock the planet with the release of their double live CD, Familiar to Millions.

Familiar to Millions is a collection of Oasis' best. It oozes with intensity from the very beginning, opening with three tracks from the recent Standing on the Shoulder of Giants, followed by 'classics' such as Supersonic, Shaker Maker and Acquiesce. Mixed into the equation are the cover tunes Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black) by Neil Young and an ethereal version of the Beatles' Helter Skelter. The rarely played, Step Out, was a collaborative effort between the extremes of Noel Gallagher and Stevie Wonder. After listening to these renditions, it's not difficult to understand where the Oasis sound was borne. From pure rock 'n roll influences comes purer rock 'n roll music.

I appreciate Oasis' complete lack of musical pretension. The energy level they achieve is truly impressive. The CD is a constant onslaught of sound, which doesn't relent in the tempi, vocals or atmosphere. You can almost smell the sweat, taste the stale beer and sway with the crowd while listening to this disc.

On the down side, I was very disappointed in the packaging of the CD. The front and back covers are adequate, if uncreative, and the lack of liner notes is a complete let down. Inside you'll find some pictures of the band in action followed by a few words of hommage to those who made it all happen. Disappointing to say the least for a double CD package.

Sonically, there are no surprises here. It's a typical live stadium recording. It was recorded in London's Wembley Stadium on July 21st and 22nd 2000 by sound engineer Jon Lemon. Taking the best, most marketable renditions of each song, this recording is chalked full of ranting fans and thunderous guitar, drumbeats, which, for the sensitive ear, isn't exactly an evening at the Barbican Hall. [For a transcription of the Gallagher brothers' Mancunian-inflected stage banter, click on http://www.oa515.com/ - Ed]

If you enjoy the music of Oasis, and are looking for a supersonic CD pumped full of testosterone, then Familiar to Millions is probably already on your shelf or in your player. If you not among the ...Millions, but are looking for some great music, delivered with great power, buy it. For those who would like the visuals, too, Spring 2001 is the scheduled release of this concert on DVD in the US and Canada - it should be a visual stunner.

[The Official Oasis Website can be found at http://www.oasisinet.com - Ed.]