The album came about due to the end of Oasis’ recording contract with Sony BMG Music Entertainment. Noel Gallagher has gone on record before on numerous occasions saying that Oasis wouldn’t release a greatest hits album unless the band were about to split up. However, in an interview with news.com.au in December 2005, he hinted that Sony were planning to release one anyway, and that despite his misgivings, he would have to get involved with it otherwise it’d be “shit”. This was clarified in September 2006, when he told the NME that when he made it clear to Sony that the band were not going to re-sign to them, the record label decided to release a greatest hits album. Gallagher then explained that he insisted that it had to be a ‘best-of’ because he felt a compilation of the best singles, album tracks and b-sides would produce a stronger album than a compilation of singles.
To address some fans’ concerns that the release of a greatest hits album was a sign that the band were about to finish, based on some of Noel Gallagher’s previous comments, the press release for the album confirmed that they are merely taking “a well earned sabbatical prior to starting work on new material, destined for similar levels of success in the future. As such, this is not a full stop, but merely a time out; a dream set list, and a chance for the world to review the immense contribution that Oasis have made and continue to make to rock ‘n’ roll.”
To celebrate the release of the album, the band unveiled their first full-length film – Lord Don’t Slow Me Down, shot during the Don’t Believe the Truth world tour, from May 2005 to March 2006, the film was shown in November 2006 around the world in selected picture houses, theatres and cinemas to winners of fans competitions and the press. It was also broadcasted on Channel 4 in the UK.
The album debuted at #2 in the UK charts selling over 50,000 copies in its first day of release and 216,000 in its first week of release, surprisingly not selling enough to knock off the top spot to The Love Album, by the boy-band Westlife. It also debuted at #89 on the U.S. Billboard 200, starting with 18,000 units sold. It did however enter the Japanese Oricon album charts at #1, selling 87,462 copies in its first week.
In Japan, a box set was also released of all their singles to coincide with the album.
:: TrackList ::
:: Disc 1 ::
1.Rock’n’Roll Star
2.Some Might Say
3.Talk Tonight
4.Lyla
5.The Importance Of Being Idle
6.Wonderwall
7.Slide Away
8.Cigarettes & Alcohol
9.The Masterplan
:: Disc 2 ::
1.Live Forever
2.Acquiesce
3.Supersonic
4.Half The World Away
5.Go Let It Out
6.Songbird
7.Morning Glory
8.Champagne Supernova
9.Don’t Look Back In Anger
:: Info ::
Released: 13th November 2006.
Producers Noel Gallagher, Owen Morris, Mark Coyle, Dave Sardy, Oasis
Sleeve Art Direction Noel Gallagher and Simon Halfon
Cover Images Peter Blake
Photography by Lawrence Watson
:: Oasis Are ::
Liam Gallagher-Vocals
Noel Gallagher-Lead Guitars & Backing Vocals
Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs/Gem-Rhythm Guitar
Paul ‘Guigsy’ McGuigan/Andy Bell-Bass Guitar
Tony McCarroll/Alan White-Drums