Oasis' Noel Gallagher has expressed his concerns over Sony Music releasing a best-of compilation to call time on the contract between the parties.
The band's deal expires next year, and Noel is worried that Sony will cash in while they can, releasing a greatest hits record before they lose the band.
"I'm worried they'll cash in and release a best-of," said Noel. "I've always said we'd never do one until we'd split.
"I think they're going to force our hand. I really wouldn't want to do one, but if they put one out we'll have to get involved otherwise it'll be shit."
Noel has said that the band will not consider re-signing with Sony, and said that a best-of release would constitute them "doing the dirty" on the band:
"It's all a scam. You should put one out only when you're finished - in chronological order. But I have a feeling they'll do the dirty on us."
I actually
applaud that. Best Ofs shouldn't be put out when a band is still going, albeit not as well.
Y'hear me Gallagher, I applaud you. You're a shining example of good pop stars.
'a shinging example'
i wouldn't agree with but here, I thnk he's right
yes. he is right....
Noel's right for a change...
But there's absolutely no doubt that if he's leaving them, they'll do a 'Best Of'. Let's see, doing it and making more money out of them vs. not doing it and not making more money out of them. Hmmm.
It should be called: Backtracking
Noel has already said that he would never do a best of, now he's backtracking to save face. Surely there's something he could do to prevent them doing a best of if he really wanted? Surely he's retaining the rights to his songs.
He is right
but I don't understand why a 'Best Of' would be rubbish without his co-operation.
To be fair, I could see this being the most succesful 'best of' ever considering the amount of huge singles that they have. I've only liked 'Songbird' since 'Be Here Now', mind.
maybe
he'll get them to stick on acquiesce and a few other prime b-sides. Or maybe not.
But he signed to Sony though
You don't just sign to Sony by accident. What did he expect? By signing the contract he basically handed over control of what the band released to the record label. And now he feels like having a whinge, doesn't he do this everytime they release a single as well?
Well to be fair
When you sign a record deal, you kinda hope that things will go smoothly (if you didn't think that, surely you would sign to a different label). So Noel wouldn't have anticipated leaving Sony on bad terms, and therefore wouldn't have anticipated the possibility of them 'doing a dirty' on him
Maybe
Anyway, I thought record deals were done by number of albums? So if they have one album left to do, can't they say they want it to be a new release? I'm confused
What album they do put out though is up to the record company (remember the Ryan Adams Rock N Roll/Love is Hell debacle?)
Of course Noel did kow what he was signing on (and was probably very grateful for it at the time) but there is a point where a band becomes so big that staying indie is untenable. I remember an interview with Ben Gibbard once saying how when you don't have time to deal with your distributors in Belgium it really is time to take the step.
Having said that it is much easier these days for Indie labels to be more expansive.
Creation
Not sure if this is entirely accurate but didnt they sign to Creation who then got bought out by Sony? Which means that they aren't completely at fault.
Surely with the advent of itunes (or allofmp3(!)) most people who were after a greatest hits could buy the tracks they wanted anyway?
Could be worse Noel, look what happened to poor old Talk Talk who had 2 best of's released one of which was a godawful remix album !
Cretaion, Sony and Oasis
Creation were part owned by Sony, then bought over, but Oasis were always signed to Sony - just that the records came out on Creation in the UK for "cred" and because McGee wanted to have them but Creation couldn't afford it.
To be fair (again)...
...if someone, anyone, from a record company approaches five junkie bums from Manchester and offers them the chance to play guitar for a living, I don't think they would exactly reply with 'Oh, but isn't there a chance in eleven years time, you might do something against our wishes? We'd rather play in pubs thanks...'
junkie???
but you make a good point.
When you sign...
to a label, you do have an agreed number of albums, but compilations and best-of's don't count in their view.
Hence they can do it against a bands' wishes.
I agree with Noel...I feel dirty.
Creation
was part owned by Sony early on prior to Oasis signing to em. They needed the distribution and backing of a major to reach the mass market.
Basically
In the contract, the record label generally has the option to release a compilation, which doesn't count as a new album. Sometimes they also have stipulated that live albums count, but you're usually only allowed one and Oasis have already had one.
wouldn't it be better all round
if Sony did put out a best-of compilation and saw the contract through to its completion.
This way Oasis wouldn't release any more godawful pieces of wank that would inevitably be built up to be something they aren't.
Then. Perhaps. They'd split up?
Creation
I dont know this for sure, but it wouldnt surprise me if Oasis werent even discovered by Alan McGee and that Sony put the through Creation to help give them an indie vibe.
As I said I don't know that for sure!
Doive is right....
If I was had a band and Sony offered me a deal, I wouldn't say "no." Now that Oasis is Oasis, they can say "no" if they want and do things on their own terms. Back in da day, they took what was a great opportunity without worrying about what would happen in 2006. I wouldn't either, so i can't blame the guy.
I agree with Noel. It's Liam I usually don't agree with anyway.