#Monnow Valley Studios

[cinemedios]

'Definitely Maybe': 30 años del debut de Oasis

A principios de los noventa, un pequeño grupo llamado Oasis, liderado por los hermanos Liam y Noel Gallagher tendrían la oportunidad de grabar su primer álbum sin saber que los catapultaría a la fama, pero nadie dijo que sería fácil.

A principios de los noventa, un pequeño grupo llamado Oasis, liderado por los hermanos Liam y Noel Gallagher tendrían la oportunidad de grabar su primer álbum sin saber que los catapultaría a la fama, pero nadie dijo que sería fácil. Reseña Musical | ‘Definitely Maybe’ En 1991 un joven Noel Gallagher regresaba a Manchester luego de su gira como técnico con la banda Inspiral Carpets para ver la…

[greensparty]

Album Review: Oasis "Definitely, Maybe (30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)"

On August 29, 1994, Definitely, Maybe, the debut album from U.K.'s Oasis was released. It came out just as Britpop was making a splash thanks to bands like Pulp, Blur, Suede and Oasis (all one-word band names). It is hands down one of the best albums of the 90s. It came out a few months after Kurt Cobain's passing and the music world was ready for something new. After years of music groups bemoaning fame, here was a band that wanted to be famous and loved being rock stars, which seemed refreshing. As Oasis-mania swept the world, I actually got more into them in 1996, by which point they had oversaturated rock radio. I picked up Definitely, Maybe on CD and loved it. A lot of people say the best Oasis album is 1995's follow-up (What's the Story) Morning Glory?, which is quite good but isn't nearly as epic as Definitely, Maybe (later the name of a 2008 movie that I worked on too). Being released this Friday on the 30th anniversary (a day later) is Definitely, Maybe (30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition).

original album cover

anniversary edition album cover

Through this blog, I've actually gotten to cover some Oasis releases including the 2021 live album Knebworth 1996 and the 25th Anniversary Edition of Be Here Now. Considering the band broke up in 2009, there is still an avid fan base wanting more compilations, live albums, documentaries and anniversary editions. The lineup of Oasis changed many times over the years but the heart and soul of the band has always been the brothers Gallagher: Liam on lead vocals and Noel on guitar and songwriting. Being in a band with your sibling can be both a good and a bad thing. I saw Oasis in 2000 and again in 2001 on the Brotherly Love Tour with The Black Crowes and Spacehog and the Gallaghers had the worst track records of in-fighting of any of those sibling bands.

the vinyl deluxe edition

After the band formed in Manchester, England in 1991 the lineup at this time also included guitarist Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs, bassist Paul "Guigsey" McGuigan, and drummer Tony McCarroll. This lineup was among their strongest. Easily! Disc 1 of this edition is the original album remastered. Every song rocks from the epic opening "Rock 'n' Roll Star" down to the acoustic kiss-off of "Married with Children". Disc 2 is the Monnow Valley versions (they first recorded at this studio and the sessions were scrapped, so you're hearing earlier recordings with these versions), Sawmill Studios outtakes (they recorded the album and Sawmill and these outtakes are ones that weren't used in the final recording) and an early 1992 demo of "Sad Song". The original album is a masterpiece and I don't use that term lightly. It was something that was truly of-the-moment: Britpop, Gen X, mid-90s and yet it was also retro with their Beatles' obsession not quite as overt as it would be on the next album, but also their love of Stone Roses, and yet it was also timeless. It's an awesome blast of Marshall amps in a melodic cocky made-for-arena sing-alongs! These new outtakes and alt versions don't really improve on the album, but it is kind of cool to hear the little differences of what it went from to what it became. Some are better than others, but it's short enough to enjoy what you're hearing as opposed to a box set with multiple takes of each song. We also haven't had any new Oasis music in over 15 years, which makes these unearthed versions seem more exciting than they'd normally be. As I was working on this review, news broke this week that Noel and Liam are reuniting with an Oasis tour in 2025 (no U.S. dates yet, but fingers crossed) and that proves how much these songs have stood the test of time!

For info on Definitely, Maybe (30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)

Original album: 5 out of 5 stars

Anniversary Edition: 4 out of 5 stars

[beatdisc]

Some new re-issues & crucial re-stocks through our doors in the past few weeks. Highlights include new milestone anniversary editions of Mark Lanegan's Bubblegum, Oasis' Definitely Maybe, The Church's The Blurred Crusade and Violent Soho's Hungry Ghost, plus long overdue re-pressings of classics from Shellac, Neu! and Alanis, along with a pair of new Numero Group re-issues. More info below!

American Analog Set - The Golden Band - $60 (LP) - Numero Group YELLOW vinyl re-issue of the 1999 slowcore classic from Austin group. First time back on vinyl in 25 years!

Shellac - At Action Park - $60 (LP) - Back in print! The 1994 debut LP from Bob Weston, Todd Trainer & Steve Albini (RIP). Touch & Go Records 180-gram recycled wax in custom printed cardboard uni-pak style.

Oasis - Definitely Maybe - $75 (2LP) / $130 (4LP) - 30th Anniversary re-issue of the landmark 1994 debut album. Available as a newly pressed Digsy's Dinner inspired 'Strawberries & Cream' coloured 2LP set, or an expanded 4LP box featuring Monnow Valley Versions and Sawmills Outtakes.

Mark Lanegan - Bubblegum XX - $65 (2LP) / $45 (3CD) - Beggar's Banquet 20th Anniversary re-issue of the acclaimed 2004 solo release. Available on Indie-Exclusive 2LP red vinyl, or in an expanded 3CD digipack featuring unreleased songs & demos.

Neu! - s/t - $35 (LP)- Back in print! The iconic 1972 debut LP from influential German krautrock group featuring Klaus Dinger and Michael Rother after their split from Kraftwerk. Big love to @groenlandrecords for continually re-printing these one at such an agreeable price!

The Church - The Blurred Crusade - $60 (LP) - Limited edition BLUE vinyl remaster of the excellent 1982 sophomore studio album from Steve Kilbey & Co. Featuring Almost With You and When You Were Mine.

Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill - $45 (LP) - Back in print! Alanis' gigantic 1995 studio album & first internationally distributed release. Jam-packed with hits like You Oughta Know, Hand in My Pocket, Ironic, Head over Feet, You Learn etc.

Unwound - Single History: 1991-2001 - $70 (2LP) - Numero Group 25th Anniversary Expanded & Remastered 2LP WHITE vinyl re-issue of the 1999 compilation of early singles & compilation tracks. Touring in November!!

Violent Soho - Hungry Ghost - $70 (LP) - 10th Anniversary limited edition BLACK & RED splatter vinyl re-issue of the previously out-of-print and hard to find 2013 breakout studio album featuring Covered in Chrome.

[radiomaxmusic]

Feature LP / Oasis - Definitely Maybe (1994) / September 9, 2024 / 11pm ET

Definitely Maybe is the debut studio album by English rock band Oasis, released by Creation Records on August 29, 1994. The band booked Monnow Valley Studio near Rockfield in late 1993 to record the album and worked with producer Dave Batchelor, who lead guitarist and chief songwriter Noel Gallagher knew from his time working as a roadie for the Inspiral Carpets, though sessions were…

[kcyars99]

I remember reading about how messy the break up was and how there was so much infighting between brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher so the fact the band is reuniting is really a shocker for everyone

oh and one more thing yesterday marks the thirtieth anniversary of their debut album

Definitely Maybe is the debut studio album by the English rock band Oasis, released by Creation Records on 29 August 1994. The album features Noel Gallagher on lead guitar, backing vocals and as chief songwriter, Liam Gallagher on lead vocals, Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs on rhythm guitar, Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan on bass guitar and Tony McCarrollon drums.

The band booked Monnow Valley Studio near Rockfield in late 1993 to record the album and worked with producer Dave Batchelor, whom Noel Gallagher knew from his time working as a roadie for the Inspiral Carpets, though sessions were unsatisfactory and Batchelor was subsequently fired. In January 1994, the group set about re-recording the album at Sawmills Studio in Cornwall, where sessions were produced by Noel alongside Mark Coyle. The results were still deemed unsatisfactory; in desperation, Creation's Marcus Russell contacted engineer and producer Owen Morris, who eventually worked on mixing the album at Johnny Marr's studio in Manchester.

Definitely Maybe was an immediate commercial success in the United Kingdom, having followed on the heels of the singles "Supersonic", "Shakermaker", and the UK top-ten hit "Live Forever", which was also a success on US Rock Airplay. It went straight to number one in the UK Albums Chart and became the fastest-selling debut album in British music history at the time; it went on to be certified 8× platinum by the BPI for sales of over 2.4 million units. It also was successful in the United States, being certified platinumby the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album went on to sell over 8.5 million copies worldwide. It is the only Oasis album to completely feature all five original members; drummer Tony McCarrollwas ejected from the band in early 1995, but he would still partially appear on their second album on the track "Some Might Say."

Upon release, Definitely Maybe received widespread critical acclaim and helped to spur a revitalization in British pop/rock music in the 1990s. It was embraced by critics for its optimistic themes and rejection of the negative outlook of much of the grunge music of the time, and is regarded as a cornerstone of the Britpop genre, having since appeared in many publications' lists of the greatest albums of all time. In 2006, the NME conducted a readers' poll in which Definitely Maybe was voted the greatest album of all time. In 2015, Spinincluded the album in their list of "The 300 Best Albums of 1985–2014". Rolling Stoneranked the album at number 217 on its 2020 list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

[levysoft]

Oasis: ascolta una rara versione di "Sad Song" cantata da Liam Gallagher

Gli Oasis hanno pubblicato una nuova anticipazione della ristampa del loro album d'esordio "Definitely Maybe", in arrivo il prossimo 30 agosto per celebrare il trentesimo anniversario dall'uscita. Si tratta della traccia bonus "Sad Song", in origine pubblicata con Noel Gallagher alla voce, questa volta cantata dal fratello Liam.

Nell'agosto del 1994, l'uscita di "Definitely Maybe" segnò un momento cruciale nella cultura giovanile britannica, con la scrittura di Noel Gallagher e il sound britpop degli Oasis che annunciavano un nuovo inizio. Incarnava uno stato d'animo completamente nuovo del rock e del pop, edonistico, chitarristico e ottimista. Il Regno Unito, che presto si sarebbe liberato da 18 anni di governo conservatore, era pervaso da un crescente senso di cambiamento e speranza, e gli Oasis catturarono quello stato d'animo. Era la stagione della "Cool Britannia".

Dopo aver firmato un contratto discografico mondiale, Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher, Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs, Paul McGuigan e Tony McCarroll si sono trasferiti negli studi di Monnow Valley, ai confini gallesi del Monmouthshire, per catturare su disco l'energia dei loro spettacoli dal vivo. All'epoca, le registrazioni iniziali sembravano eccessivamente tecniche e curate, non riuscendo a catturare l'essenza della band. Alla fine, le sessioni furono abbandonate e la band si trasferì nei remoti confini dei Sawmills Studios in Cornovaglia per registrare nuovamente l'album. Dopo di che, con l'aggiunta di Owen Morris per completare i missaggi definitivi, arrivò "Definitely Maybe".

(via Oasis: ascolta una rara versione di "Sad Song" cantata da Liam Gallagher)

[ajoytobeheld]

Studio news: 5 days from blast off

June 17th, 2009

And so we’re now approximately five days from the aural side of this record’s completion (all bar mastering). Last night the very final vocals were completed by myself, Aleks and then the gang. It was slightly weird, as obviously the last song is left to last for a reason. Often it’ll be the song that people are least keen on or perhaps one that we’re not quite sure exactly what direction it should be taken in, but in this case it was because it was one of the songs I near completed vocals for about two months ago, and then forgot about and hadn’t got back into. Then yesterday, with the pressure on, I had a flash of ‘inspiration’ and the song was wrapped up in about 5 minutes. It then received possibly the best reaction from John Goodmanson we’ve ever had. A big “holy shit!” all round.

It’s the second shortest proper ’song’ on the record and has me doing my best David Gedge impression.

It feels amazing to have all the tracking finally completed and as though the pressure is finally off. Plus, it was a euphoric way to end recording, with a rabble rousing gang chorus sing along. Here are some pictures from the final night’s recording. This is my optimum recording get-up. Actually, this is my optimum look for doing anything. Expect it to hit a stage near you, soon:

Monnow Valley is probably definitely my favourite place we’ve ever recorded. You can project vintage (stuff) onto the ceiling while you record:

(I can't show you the stuff)

Ellen was in bed by the time we started on group vocals, so we had to drag her up, pyjamas and all:

Ollie is the best mascot a band could ever wish for. THIS IS HOW CONVINCED WE ARE OF THIS SET OF SONGS: (go look yourself)

Yesterday, me and Aleks compared reference points for art for this album and the first picture we showed eachother was of THE SAME THING!! Srsly. And it’s a really quite unusual thing too. Which hopefully is a hint that we’re on the right track. Got to knuckle down to that now. But today, Wichita come to town to listen to the 8 songs that are fully mixed, and then I think to celebrate how INCREDIBLE they think the songs are, we should all go to Pizza Express for tea, because it’s Buy One Get One on a Wednesday if you print off a voucher, and I think the printer is working now and HI MARK, I HOPE YOUR TRAIN IS ON TIME AND EVERYTHING!!

[olafsings]

Music History Today: January 7, 2023

January 7, 1994: Oasis started recording their debut album, Definitely Maybe, at Monnow Valley Studio in South Wales. Upon release, the LP was an immediate commercial and critical success in the United Kingdom. The album sold over 8.5 million copies worldwide and brought widespread critical acclaim. It went straight to number one on the UK Albums Chart and became the fastest-selling debut album in the UK.

[electricsoftparade]

Continuing our trend of capturing our recordings in unusual/famed locations (the drums for Stages were recorded in the legendary glass drum room at Monnow Valley) Alex and I have been gifted a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and tomorrow we will travel to London's spectacular Church studio to record drums and piano for the upcoming Avenue Dot LP. Excited doesn't come close. LOOK at that place. <3

We will try to take as many lovely photos and clips as possible as we go.... Thomas

[m3t4ln3rd]

Everyday Sidekicks announce Hope EP, release video for new single "Fracture"

Bristol quartet Everyday Sidekicks will be self-releasing their sophomore EP, Hope on March 31st. The group said of the title: “Hope to us is a hugely important factor in life. You constantly have obstacles thrown at you that you need to overcome, times change and sometimes it’s not always good things that come your way. Without Hope for things to get better, life can get on top of you.” The…

[creviewsthings]

Hands off Gretel announce new album & release new video for 'I Want the World'

Hands off Gretel announce new album & release new video for ‘I Want the World’

Hailing from South Yorkshire, grunge-punk newcomers Hands off Gretel are here to literally take over the world with their new album ‘I Want the World’. Recorded at Monnow Valley studio in Wales, it’s set for release this coming March 29th via the band’s own label Puke Pop Records. You can support their pledge campaign for it here!

Not only that, they’ve also launched a brand new visual for the…

[metalshockfinland]

DRESSED TO KILL Drummer Ian Danter to Release Third Solo Album “Rule Of Three” June 3rd

DRESSED TO KILL Drummer Ian Danter to Release Third Solo Album “Rule Of Three” June 3rd

Acclaimed hard rock songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and UK broadcaster Ian Danter is finally set to bring out his follow up album to 2015’s “Second Time Around” with a brand new collection of original rock songs entitled “Rule Of Three”. Recording initially began in July 2019 at the famed Monnow Valley studios in Monmouth, South Wales, with Ian once again playing almost all of the instruments…

[radiomaxmusic]

Tuesday, January 30, 2024 8pm ET: Feature LP: Oasis - Definitely Maybe (1994)

Definitely Maybe is the debut studio album by English rock band Oasis, released by Creation Records on August 29, 1994. The band booked Monnow Valley Studio near Rockfield in late 1993 to record the album and worked with producer Dave Batchelor, whom lead guitarist and chief songwriter Noel Gallagher knew from his time working as a roadie for the Inspiral Carpets, though sessions were…

[10gaugeofficial]

- Photography by Paul McRoe - (at Monnow Valley Studio) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYjJkZxsUit/?utm_medium=tumblr

[ajoytobeheld]

Recording update

June 10th, 2009

I’ve been a little lax on this, and I apologise, so, for all of yous who would like to be in the know, here’s where the process of making our record is at.

We’re at Monnow Valley Recording Studios, Monmouth, which from the paraphernalia on the wall I can deduce was the womb of such records as the last Pigeon Detectives, the View and the Enemy albums and perhaps more encouragingly Future Of The Left’s most recent. It’s also where we finished up We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed.

Tracking is (all but) complete and so we are onto the mix. This is a very easy procedure for band members as we essentially sit around all day watching Twenty-Twenty Cricket (or trying to get me to change the channel from the cricket to something else), making £1 bets on sports you don’t understand and playing pool. Then at the end of the day, after John has slaved over and attempted to make sense of our 100+ track compositions and attempted to mould them into something resembling a song, we convene on the control room and individually insist that each of our instruments isn’t loud enough.

On the weekend our dear manager Alun came to the studio with his kids in tow. This, I think, was primarily to get a couple of hours off whilst we babysat, but also, he listened to the remainder of the new songs that he hadn’t heard. His assessment: the new record sounds like a “mental Nirvana”. We are more than happy with this description.

We’re here for another couple of weeks, whilst we should be chatting over album titles and art work ideas, I also think we might have a barbecue at some point, so if you’re in the area, let us know. It’s very weird to think that in just 14 days our album will be finished. It’s a little scary, but also very exciting. There’s no doubt in my mind that these are the best songs we’ve written and recorded to date.

[megarockradio]

Oasis - Definitely Maybe | This Day In Music

Oasis – Definitely Maybe | This Day In Music

7 Jan 1994, Oasis started recording their debut album Definitely Maybe at Monnow Valley Studio in South Wales. When released in August 1994, it became the fastest selling debut album of all time in the UK, (being surpassed in 2006 by Arctic Monkeys debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not). The album went on to sell over 12 million copies worldwide.…