There’s not so much as a morsel of hope for a reunion, though a U.K. No. 1 album should give some comfort to long-suffering fans of Oasis.
The Britpop-era heavyweights lead the chart race with The Masterplan (via Big Brother), which enjoys a revival thanks to a 25th anniversary reissue.
Originally released in 1998, the LP collects b-sides from the Manchester band’s classic first three albums, 1994’s Definitely Maybe, 1995’s (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? and 1997’s Be Here Now, and is led-off by “Acquiesce,” considered a stone-cold Oasis classic.
The original version of The Masterplan peaked at No. 2 on the national chart. If it does manage to go one better, it would give Oasis a ninth leader (including all seven studio albums), and first in 13 years — since 2010 hits compilation Time Flies… (1994-2009).
The Masterplan would need to dethrone Taylor Swift’s 1989 (Taylor’s Version) (via EMI), which is does on the Official Chart Update. The fourth in Swift’s recording projects, 1989 (Taylor’s Version) dips 1-2 on the chart blast.
Meanwhile, BTS singer Jung Kook is on track to land the top debut on the national chart with Golden (Interscope), which is forecast to start at No. 3. That would Jung Kook the highest-charting solo album in the U.K. from a member of BTS.
Legendary English pop singer Cliff Richard is on course for a 48th U.K. top 10 appearance with Cliff with Strings – My Kinda Life (EastWest/Rhino). The career retrospective, which collects some of Richard’s top hits, reimagined with orchestral arrangements by Chris Walden, is set to start at No. 4.
The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr could nab a fifth U.K. top 10 album with Spirit Power: The Best of Johnny Marr (BMG), new at No. 6 on the midweek tally, while records from Caroline Polachek (Desire, I Want To Turn Into You reentering at No. 7 via Perpetual Novice) and Van Morrison (Accentuate The Positive at No. 9 via Exile) are close behind.
Finally, as the The Beatles fly towards a record-setting 18th No. 1 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart with “Now And Then,” the Fab Four’s hits collection 1 (Apple Corps) is set for a top 40 reentry, at No. 19. The album led the survey for nine consecutive weeks back in 2000.
As previously reported, “Now And Then” is currently outselling the rest of the top 5 combined.
All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Albums and Singles Charts are published late Friday, Nov. 10.