The Oasis album that shaped Best Coast: “One of the best songs”
Even though Oasis are perhaps the epitome of a British band, defining the sound of the Britpop era and delivering timeless classics that are written into the country’s songbook and population’s hearts, their reach goes far beyond the United Kingdom. From their post over in Los Angeles, Best Coast were still deeply influenced by the music made by the two Manchester lads.
It’s two wildly different backgrounds. The Gallaghers are true, British salt of the earth, born and raised in the north. As they rose to fame, they brought their working classic spirit to the masses, writing songs about local scenes, big nights, and their unrelenting mission to be the ultimate rock and roll stars.
On the other side of the planet, and nearly two decades removed, Best Coast formed in sunny Los Angeles in 2009. It was the internet that blew the musical duo of Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno into the stars. However, throughout the 2010s, they helped define the indie-pop movement of the time.
But despite their different background in very different musical moments, scenes and origins, Best Coast’s love for Oasis proves just how broad the Gallaghers’ impact is in the world of rock and alternative music. More specifically, it proves their powerful position as a band that have kick-started a whole generation of new bands. With their four-chord simple song and anthemic hits, so many young musicians have started out with an Oasis cover and a dream, and Best Coast are included in that.
In particular, Cosentino discussed the impact of (What’s The Story) Morning Glory?, the band’s 1995 sophomore album. “This is the first Oasis album I got heavily into,” she said. She recalled the moment she heard it first, adding, “I think I was in the 7th grade when I first heard ‘Champagne Supernova’ for the first time, and it was just one of the best songs I had ever heard. I would listen to it on repeat.”
It caught her attention so much that she made an effort to keep it with her so she could listen over and over. “I’m pretty sure I taped it off of the radio, back when people did stuff like that,” she revealed. But even now, decades on from being that young kid who was first getting into Oasis as a way to enter the world of rock music, the brother’s songwriting style has stood the test of time in her eyes.
“I just think the songwriting on this album is so classic and perfect — every song is catchy and relatable, and it’s an album that has stuck with me since I first heard it,” she noted. Housing hits like ‘Wonderwall’, ‘Some Might Say’, ‘Roll With It’ and a heavy tracklist packed with more, the 1995 album has rightfully claimed a place as one of history’s favourite releases.
It’s a record that never seems to get old and never seems to stop inspiring new songwriters. Cosentino counts herself amongst those ranks as Best Coast’s own anthemic sound couldn’t have come about without her childhood obsession with the Manchester legends.
