Noel leaves Oasis...again

Have you heard the news? Oasis broke up.

Again.

Seems this time Noel's walking out because of a fight in Paris with
his brother and lead singer, Liam.

But is anyone surprised?

Remember when the band broke up in 2000 because Liam got piss drunk
and made remarks about Noel's daughter? They were back together by
July of that year.

It's amusing to see how surprised everyone seems to be at the
"newsworthiness" of this break. Yeah, they're the champions of Britpop
in that they've actually stuck it out longer than any other band.
They've reinvented the same basic rock 'n roll mold every record they
put out.

Not to complain. I love hearing them ape T. Rex's "Get It On" in the
form of "Cigarettes & Alcohol" on their debut album "Definitely
Maybe."

By the way, isn't that album celebrating 15 years this week? Huh.
That's strange.

Could it be *gasp* a publicity stunt?

Even at the height of their career just as "(What's The Story) Morning
Glory" was making waves in the U.S., the Mancunian band was seemingly
breaking up and getting back together on a yearly basis back in the
mid-1990s. And it's never been one of the two brothers who has always
left the band. It seems both Gallaghers are equally ill-tempered,
abrasive and moody.

So on this one, I'm calling bullshit.

Noel has expressed interest in a solo career. That doesn't
matter. Noel-rock efforts won't stand up without his brother. Chris
and Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes learned that the hard way during
their many breaks and solo efforts.

Solo albums often lead to narcissistic, self-indulgent efforts that
are undermined by the arrogance of the estranged band member eager to
prove they're better on their own.

Bands typically keep each other in check.

News flash, Noel: you're shite without Oasis, mate.

News flash, Liam: your clothing line, Pretty Green, wouldn't exist if
you never sang "Rock 'n Roll Star."

And this all seems a bit too closely timed to Blur's comeback this
summer after guitarist Graham Coxon left the band in 2002. They were
more than warmly received at every major festival they played in
Britain this summer, but they have since decided to disband so they
don't become "cynical" toward the band again, singer Damon Albarn has
said in interviews.

So let's backtrack for a moment: It's August of 1995. Blur and Oasis
are set to release new singles on the same day, Aug. 14. It's billed
as "The Battle of Britpop." Blur's "Country House" outsells Oasis'
"Roll With It" 274,000 copies to 216,000 during one week.

I think Oasis may be trying to once again prove their relevance in
contemporary pop music by breaking up. In many ways it seems they need
to prove it to themselves more so than anyone else.