I've had the pleasure of seeing them twice live. Absolutely amazing! If you have a chance to go to a show, even if you're not a big fan, do it...you won't regret it. Just good old loud Rock'n'roll.
I have all their albums, and all the singles except from Heathen Chemistry (a great album title btw imo). I personally thought that SOTSOG was a great album, mabye even better than Heathen Chemistry. There are some jems on Heathen, but I think that these last two albums have been inconsistant, and yes, as Brittig noted, they've begun to repeat themselves a tad bit. Oasis doing Oasis is a bit of a letdown.
I listened to Be Here Now recently, and what struck me is that underneath the bombastic overproduction that ruined the album is a set of really good songs. Binging on coke during the making of that album, and coming off a tour supporting Morning Glory, undoubtably one of the best rock albums ever, it's not surprising that Noel's fueled ego resulted in the production failure that is BHN.
I suspect that Oasis isn't done by far. Part of me says that the next album will be there last (they've hinted that), but the chemistry of the band has changed so much, and Noel isn't holding on such a tight fist (maybe an indication that he's bored) that I suspect the sound of Oasis is going to change a bit. I see it turning more towards blues and Neil Young sounding than some of their earlier stuff.
Noel talked a while back about doing a solo album, but I doubt that it would be very good. I suspect that he's one of these artists who had a bunch of jems in his head, but unlike the real genius's, he can't keep producing them. Nothing from their last few albums has felt the was a song like Slide Away, or Cast No Shadow, or Whatever for that matter did. I agree that their first two albums are unbeatable as debuts for a band. When you hit that hard that fast as a band and as a songwriter, it's very hard to keep that type of creativity and energy up.
That being said, the influx of new band members, and Liam actuallly writing some songs (note to Liam: please stop writing Little James and Songbird type songs...they really are b-sides at best and should stay there!) that are good could bring a whole new dimension to the band, as I mentioned earlier.
It's interesting to see how Oasis has come to terms with never breaking into America. There's a strong underground following over here, but they lack the popular support that they need to make it. They seem to be okay with that now, i.e. saying "fuck america, we don't need them". Sadly in Britian, I think they're living on past accomplishments and reputation rather than being a big, ongoing influence in the music scene now.
I thought that Heathen Chemistry might bring them back into the fold in America, and touring with the Black Crowes might bring them added exposure, but sadly, it wasn't to be so. They will always be remembered for two songs over here, both Rock classics: Live Forever, and Wonderwall.
They may have a renissance if their next album is a real jem, which I think it just might be. I have this feeling that they're getting back on the right track, musically, songwriting wise, and as a band. I look forward to their next release, and hope to see them show the world once again why they are such a good band.
For me, they hold a special place in my music collection. They're the first band I followed from the beginning of their career. I collected all their singles etc. and it's been fun to watch them evolve as I've grown up with them. Kindof like some of the older U2 fans around here. No matter what they do, there will always be that connection for me to Oasis in a way that U2 won't. I came in ten years into the making of U2, so I missed out on a lot. With Oasis, I was there from the first time I saw the video for Live Forever, and have stayed with them through the ride.
Oasis has had a unique underground influence on a generation of songwriters, most of whom won't admit it. Noel's obsession with the G/Eminor/C chords (and I can't think at the moment of the correct technical names for the particular chords...but you know, the ones from Wonderwall) are something I have seen many many many artists and songwriters replicate. He wasn't the first to use them by any means, but they appear to have become increasingly popular and, must I say, overused since that song became popular. Even my guitar teacher commented when I started with him that I was using the Oasis/Noel Gallagher G major using my fourth finger, which technically isn't correct. He said that he's seen it a lot since they became popular.
I think I've rambled on enough...
oasis 
