EDITORS’ NOTES

The power in Oasis’ debut lies in the contrast between Noel Gallagher’s optimistic songs and the way his words are twisted by brother Liam’s sardonic snarl. Fighting his way past a rolling wall of guitars, Liam uses his vocal insolence to turn every one of Noel’s hopeful statements—“Tonight, I’m a rock ’n’ roll star”—into a defiant certainty, even when castigating an ex-girlfriend (“Married With Children”) or singing about lasagna (“Digsy’s Dinner”). It’s put to best use on the album’s defining moment, “Live Forever”; you’d almost believe Liam could, indeed, become immortal, just to spite the world.