CoronaVinyl Day 181 (O): Definitely Maybe by Oasis

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Today's CoronaVinyl category is "O," and I only have one album by an "O" artist that I haven't yet featured, Oasis's 1994 debut album Definitely Maybe.

This album was one of the defining albums of the '90s, kickstarting the Britpop movement, rejecting the gloom of grunge in the process.  It shot straight to #1 on the UK album chart in its debut week, and it became the fastest-selling debut album of all-time in the UK.  Four songs from the album reached the Top 40 on the UK pop chart, including two Top 10 songs:  "Cigarettes & Alcohol" (#7), "Live Forever" (#10), "Shakermaker" (#11), and "Supersonic" (#31).  It has since maintained its status as one of the most beloved British albums ever, even beating out Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band as the greatest album of all-time in a 2006 NME readers poll.

While the album only reached #58 on the Billboard album chart and didn't feature any charting singles in the U.S., "Supersonic" (#11) and "Live Forever" (#2) both charted well on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, setting the band up for their future success in the U.S.

The version I have is the 25th anniversary edition, released last year.  As you can see, like the version of (What's The Story) Morning Glory? I have, it is split into four sides on picture discs.  It also has an extra song ("Sad Song" on Side 2) to make it an even 12 songs.

Favorite song from Side 1:  "Rock 'n' Roll Star"

The first track starts the album off with a bang.  It's as if Noel Gallagher knew the trajectory of the band and wanted to announce it to the world.

Favorite song from Side 2:  "Up In The Sky"
The opening riff has a Revolver-era Beatles quality about it.  "Up In The Sky" is a lesser-known Oasis gem, but it represents everything that made them great.  A nice, uptempo catchy rock song.

Favorite song from Side 3:  "Supersonic"
This was the band's first single, and it's a good one.  I love the beginning of the song, and that kind of descending guitar crunch.  And although I hate gin, I love the line in the opening verse "I'm feeling supersonic / Give me gin and tonic."

Favorite song from Side 4:  "Married With Children"
While this would be better if it had a No Ma'am reference, it's still a nice little acoustic alt-rock song.