This 1997 Album Was a Smash Hit—Then Fans and Even the Band Turned on It
In 1997, a rock album was released to near universal acclaim and immense sales, seemingly ensuring that it was destined for greatness. Then, the tide turned, and it became a punching bag. Oasis' 'Be Here Now' went from a smash hit to being named one of the "most disappointing albums of all time."
The Band, Fans, and Critics Turned on 'Be Here Now' by Oasis
Not long after 'Be Here Now' seemed to be beloved by virtually everyone, it became the subject of immense criticism. Its reputation was tarnished so much that Rolling Stone named it one of the "most disappointing albums of all time" years later. The outlet noted that the album's downfall seemed "inevitable" as Oasis grappled with becoming rich, inner-band feuds, and the use of "mountains of cocaine." The outlet also summarized why it fell flat. "There’s a lot of bloat. Most of the songs are simply too long, and they could have easily cut five or six of them." As a result, Rolling Stone described copies of 'Be Here Now' "piling up in used record stores."
It isn't just fans and critics who've turned their backs on 'Be Here Now.' Even one of the key figures in its creation has since disowned it. As The Guardian reported, Noel Gallagher once called the album “the sound of five men in the studio, on coke, not giving a f**k.” On the other hand, the outlet quoted his brother, Liam Gallagher, defending 'Be Here Now.' “At that time, we thought it was f*****g great. And I still think it’s great.” Of course, Noel Gallagher disagreeing with people is nothing new, as evidenced by things like his longstanding feud with Phil Collins.
The Album Was a Smash Hit and Critical Darling At First
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When Oasis released 'Be Here Now' on August 21, 1997, the band was on top of the world commercially and critically. The album sold 663,389 copies in just three days, which earned it a Guinness World Record for being the fastest-selling album in U.K. history at the time.
In August 2022, The Times published an article looking at the tumultuous history of 'Be Here Now.' It detailed some of the glowing praise that was lavished on the album when it was released.
The Daily Telegraph called it "a great rock record" that "validates most, if not all, of the Gallaghers’ boasts about their greatness.” The Guardian went even further by comparing 'Be Here Now' to an iconic album from The Beatles. “You have to go back, as Noel so often does, to efforts like the Beatles’ Revolver, for a set whose every constituent could be spun off into the singles chart.”