I seem to remember the songs on this album were selected from a fan poll.
This was played to death back in the day, cant be many bands who have released a album of bsides of this quality, just a shame they were bsides and not released as their 3rd album. Noel must have had some sleepness nights realising that but the quality of the bsides were a reason to go out and buy the singles back then.
Yes its not as good as their first 2 albums, both of which would be 10/10s for me, of course its not, its an album of Bsides.
Listening now, I give it 8/10. if any 2 of - Round our way, Dyer wanna be a spaceman, Step out, Flashbax, Angel Child and Its Better People - had of been selected in place of 'I am the Walrus' and 'Swamp song' , it would be 10/10 as well for me, but both of those were fan favourites and staples of live shows at the time.