"What's the Story" went on to become the best-selling album of the decade in the UK, with its fifteen platinum certifications from the British Phonographic Industry. It was also certified four times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. The fifteen platinum certifications in the UK were the highest ever awarded to a single record until Adele's "21", released in 2011. The success of the album resulted in Oasis becoming one of the biggest bands in the world, with substantial and considerable press coverage in the mainstream music press and frequent comparisons to the Beatles in the media. Liam and Noel Gallagher both featured prominently in gossip columns and daily tabloids throughout 1996–97.