When it comes to writing about Oasis, there are plenty of books that dive into the chaos, the fights, and the massive egos. But very few take a scalpel to the music itself. That changes with A Sound So Very Loud: The Inside Story of Every Song Oasis Recorded — a new deep-dive from longtime music journalists Ted Kessler and Hamish MacBain, released on 3 July 2025.
This isn’t another tabloid retread of backstage bust-ups. It’s a forensic, funny, and fan-minded exploration of every single track Oasis put to tape. Yes, every one. From the obvious juggernauts like Live Forever and Wonderwall to beloved B-sides like The Masterplan and the offbeat oddities tucked away on CD singles and import editions. If you’ve ever argued over whether Acquiesce should have been a single or where D’You Know What I Mean? ranks in their all-time top five, this one’s for you.
“Ted Kessler and Hamish MacBain are fantastic chaps. The Dudley Moore and Peter Cook of music journalism”
– Liam Gallagher
Two writers who were actually there
What makes A Sound So Very Loud hit different is the authors’ proximity to the band. Kessler and MacBain first met Liam and Noel back in 1994, when Oasis were still lugging gear into toilet venues. They’ve been in the front row — literally and professionally — ever since.
Their long history with the band unlocks anecdotes you won’t have seen recycled on fan forums or clickbait lists. The stories feel lived in. Whether it’s the writing of Slide Away, the late-night sessions behind Talk Tonight, or why Noel nearly binned Stop Crying Your Heart Out, it all comes from a place of proper insight, not second-hand hearsay.
“Essential reading. Hamish and Ted have had front row tickets to the Oasis story from the very beginning”
– Mat Whitecross, director of Oasis: Supersonic
Excellent timing the release with the reunion
The timing couldn’t be sharper. A Sound So Very Loud lands just as Oasis gear up for their Live ‘25 reunion tour — the first time the Gallaghers have shared a stage since 2009. For both new fans just discovering the band and die-hards who’ve memorised the catalogue, this book offers something rare: a complete musical companion piece to one of the most mythic bands in British history.
“Something special: a book of wit and verve about why Oasis matter”
– The Telegraph
Every song, every story
The structure of the book is exactly what it says on the tin. Every song Oasis recorded gets its own moment. No filler. No skimming past B-sides. It’s a detailed, chronological map through the band’s sonic journey, from Definitely Maybe’s ragged brilliance to Dig Out Your Soul’s layered psychedelia.
And it’s not just studio tracks. Expect reflections on demo versions, alternate mixes, unreleased material, and the cultural impact each song had on fans, charts, and the band itself.
Conclusion: A book that gets it
Kessler and MacBain don’t just love Oasis. They understand them. They know the importance of a B-side. They know why certain lyrics hit harder decades later. And they know what it felt like to be there when it all blew up.
If you’re heading to an Oasis gig this summer or just revisiting the records, A Sound So Very Loud deserves a place on your shelf. Or more likely, by your turntable.
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