So this is where it all began. This is where Noel Gallagher first realised his vision of a band that matched the swagger of the Stone Roses to the harmonic thrill of the Beatles. It is difficult to resist this album, despite the obvious flaws. (It plods. The production is too heavy-handed. "Shakermaker" borrows its melody from a soft drink commercial.) There is such a passion, such self-belief in these tracks, such a refusal to be overwhelmed by the odds. "Cigarettes And Alcohol" virtually defined a generation. "Supersonic" still sends a pure adrenaline rush through the listener, despite the cack-handed lyrics. "Live Forever", meanwhile, is simply fantastic--still Oasis's finest moment. Singles aside, there are so many other gems to discover; from the classy "Up In The Sky" to the acoustic ballad "Married With Children" to the chirpy "Digsy's Diner". On this classic album--and its even finer follow-up (What's The Story) Morning Glory--Oasis still had a real naiveté to their sound, one that they subsequently lost. --Everett True