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Oasis' Masterplan: The B-sides That Should've Been an Album
8 Oct
Summary
- The Masterplan compilation showcases Oasis' strong B-side material.
- It raises questions about what Oasis' third album could have been.
- Noel Gallagher regrets not realizing the quality of these B-sides.
Oasis' 1998 collection of B-sides, The Masterplan, has been reissued and remastered. This set is recognized as a thoughtfully curated and well-sequenced compilation that ranks among the band's best work.
The release prompts consideration of a pivotal "what if" moment in rock history. It invites speculation on whether Noel Gallagher's high-quality B-sides from 1994 to 1997 could have formed a superior third Oasis album.
This alternative path might have prevented the need for fans to turn to bands like Travis and Coldplay. Instead of marking the decline of Britpop, Oasis' third record could have sustained their momentum.
While 'Be Here Now' was commercially successful, it accelerated Oasis' shift from cultural trendsetters to heritage act. The Masterplan's arrival a year later served as a poignant reminder of this missed opportunity.
Noel Gallagher has since admitted that "The Masterplan should have been Be Here Now." He expressed significant professional regret over not being aware enough at the time to recognize the quality of these B-sides.
