A Sound So Very Loud: The Inside Story of Every Song Oasis Recorded

by Ted Kessler, Hamish MacBain

A Simon & Schuster eBook. Simon & Schuster has a great book for every reader.

Genres: Music

384 pages, Hardcover

First published July 3, 2025

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, a great way to tell their story and didn't feel like it was a repeat of Love Forever by John Robb. Definitely worth reading both.

[Mauro García · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started yesterday and in “D’yer wanna be a spaceman” the authors wrote that the band attempted to play it live in Maine Road ‘96, Noel started to strum the chords and TONY MCCARROLL joined with the drums.

Sorry? How can that error overpassed some authors editing and reviewing? Now I’m just thinking if all the info I’m reading is even accurate. It’s like reading that Pete Best was The Beatles drummer in 1964. Unforgivable.

[jedi_eliza 🦥 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this book in the library as I was checking out another book so obviously I had to get it as soon as I saw it was Oasis.
I was lucky enough to get presale for the ‘25 reunion tour so I’ve seen them live and that was an amazing experience.

This book was really good, and I liked how it was about the songs and stories that go with them rather than just about the band and full of content everyone knows already. Even songs that only had a short paragraph to go with them, it was still something because of course there’s something say about the songs, even if they weren’t a hit or the band didn’t think much of them.

I definitely (maybe) won’t remember some of the stuff in here, but I did learn some very interesting facts and other memorable stuff so now I have even more info dumping to do next time I listen to oasis with somebody.

[Andrew Carolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well done. I've read a few of these kinds of books (i.e. the catalogue of songs: Bowie, Prince, Paul McCartneys own background of his lyrics) and this is the best so far (and also the best Oasis book I've read). It delves into each song throughout their career, without making the mistake of dragging each out for the sake of content. Instead, it focuses on points of inspiration for the songs, what they're about, or a story relating to the time of recording and writing; thus avoiding a repetitive, clinical feel that can get boring with some of the aforementioned. Given their journalistic credentials and personal history with the band too, there's a fun side to the insights given.

[Jim Leeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of Oasis books since I am obsessed with the band and their post Oasis work. This is by far the best Oasis book I’ve read. It’s refreshing doing it song by song instead of just saying what happened from 1991 to 1996 or 2009. This way you get many different stories and bits you wouldn’t hear otherwise.

The authors also share tales of when they met Liam and Noel which are fun to read and at times hilarious. If you haven’t read this book yet - buy it!

[Joey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read from beginning to end. Highly recommend.

[MR STUART · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential and definitive.

[Ravi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great backstories on the albums/songs and a wonderful excuse to re-listen

[Lucy Guillén · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping for so much more from this book.

[Simon Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read and purposely released at a perfect time. There was a lot I already knew and a lot I found out. My favourite bits were the encounters the authors had with Liam and Noel themselves, especially Post-Oasis, quite sweet actually.

The frustration comes from the lack of fact checking. There are a few instances in the book that are easy to confirm. One is saying that Princess Diana died a month after Be Here Now - it was 10 days and one of the others was saying that Ocean Colour Scene’s first and second album are Moseley Shoals and Marchin’ Already when it’s their second and third.

But the book itself overall is a real treat to read for anyone interested in the band.