Colin McDonald
Staff Reporter
The Stone Roses are perhaps one of the most important bands to ever exist, yet many are still unaware of who they are.
They influenced many, from members of their own scene (the Charlatans, EMF), to pioneering the Britpop movement (Blur, Pulp, Oasis), to some of the most popular bands today (Coldplay, Cage the Elephant), and even bands outside of Britain and the US (Flipper’s Guitar). It is no wonder why the Stone Roses were so influential, they essentially created a completely new sound. A combination of indie rock, house music, post-punk, and psychedelic pop that had and still has an infectious effect on listeners. However, ask someone about the Stone Roses and you might get a strange look.
The band was first formed in 1983 in Manchester, England with vocalist Ian Brown and guitarist John Squire who met as schoolmates. They had been in multiple short-lived bands–none were serious until the Stone Roses. They went through a multitude of band members before recruiting drummer Alan “Reni” Wren in 1984, and bassist Gary “Mani” Mounfield in 1987. Stone Roses had released a couple of singles during 1985-1987, which had caught the attention of many, and got the band a small but solid fanbase. They had also attracted the attention of record label representatives such as Geoff Travis of the well-known label Rough Trade. They released a single “Elephant Stone” under the label with Peter Hook of Joy Division and New Order producing it. Eventually, in 1989, the band found themselves signed by independent record company Silvertone Records, and the production of their first LP would be underway.
The Stone Roses released their self-titled debut album (The Stone Roses) in May of 1989. The record opens with their most popular song, “I Wanna Be Adored.” It has a slow start, with only ambient noise until Reni’s bass enters 40 seconds in. Squire’s twinkly guitar parts enter after a minute, then Reni’s drums pick up. The song truly starts after a minute and a half with a driving drum beat, bass line and a reverb-heavy riff. Brown’s voice finally comes in at 2 minutes singing cryptic lyrics with hushed vocals.
After that is “She Bangs the Drums”, a song that demonstrates how much the Stone Roses were influenced by the ‘60s. Combining reverb-heavy guitar hooks with groovy basslines and drum beats without being outright disco. It was the first song from the album to hit the top 40, and it is no wonder why. “She Bangs the Drums” is pure studio perfection.
“Waterfall” comes next, and it is another magnificent track with one of the greatest melodies ever made. Not to mention the psychedelic guitars and satisfying groove. The song seems to be about a girl learning how to not let herself be held back by others. She is a waterfall in the sense that she is free-flowing–no one controls her.
A trippy, reversed reprise of “Waterfall” called “Don’t Stop” comes next. An odd choice for a track, featuring the use of sped-up tapes. It is not just a reversed version of the last track however, Brown sings new lyrics, probably the most cryptic of the album. While this song is generally the least-liked track of The Stone Roses, it is not bad by any means.
“Bye Bye Bad Man” is next and the Johnny Marr and Smiths’ influence is ever-so apparent. Lyrically, the song talks about the 1968 Paris Riots, recognizing the bravery of rioters fighting against an oppressive regime and the gruesome police force. The rioters supposedly used lemons to counteract the effects of the tear gas, which is what the lemons on the album cover represent.
“Elizabeth My Dear” is the shortest song on the record–clocking in under a minute. It is a protest song of the Royal family, specifically the Queen. It is minimal instrumentally with only an acoustic guitar and Brown singing a melody from the traditional English song “Scarborough Fair”.
After a fadeout, Squire plays loud, jangly guitar chords, and “(Song for My) Sugar Spun Sister” begins as the composition becomes more intense. It is a nice poppy tune with a typical subject–unrequited love. While one may dismiss this song for being about something overdone, the Stone Roses still find a way to make this topic feel fresh.
“Made of Stone” counteracts the happy and light theme of “Sugar Spun Sister” with a brooding and dark feel. Its lyrical content is grim, discussing the car crash that killed artist Jackson Pollock. His chaotic art style influenced that band greatly, as can be seen from the album cover.
The band really goes down on their dance influences on “Shoot You Down”. Combining elements of funk, cool jazz, and folk. The crafty guitar work, drum and bass grooves create a rich atmosphere and a pleasant listening experience. Despite the dreamy feel, Brown tells the story of a man who grows tired of a relationship. He foresees the end coming, and regrets not turning them down in the first place.
“This Is the One” demonstrates the dynamic capabilities of the band, starting slow and soft with guitar stabs from Squire until the rhythm section comes in soaring after the second verse. The song is energetic, having the ability to hype anyone up. So much so that it became a football anthem.
After the last track goes into just noise, “I Am the Resurrection” comes next. The upbeat instrumental in combination with the satisfying harmonies and vocals make this song a classic. Around the 4 minutes in, the band tricks the listener into thinking the song is over but then goes into a 4-minute funky outro. “I Am the Resurrection” is the longest track on The Stone Roses at 8 minutes, but it does not waste a single second. It takes the listener on a journey and consistently keeps their attention without being pretentious prog-rockers.
The Stone Roses’ debut record is a rare, outstanding gem. The production is impeccable. The interplay between Mani’s bass and Reni’s drums builds a solid foundation to which Squire’s guitar parts and Brown’s cryptic, subtle vocals paint over it. The Stone Roses is an impressive and respectable achievement, every song is perfect. Songs range from under a minute to 8 minutes, but they never sound too short or too long. This album is a definite recommendation for music lovers and casual music fans alike.
Rating: 10/10
Standout Tracks:
I Wanna Be Adored
Waterfall
I Am the Resurrection
The Stone Roses was a massive success, in Britain at least. It propelled the boys to headlining and selling out stadiums. The record has been credited to virtually creating the Madchester music movement, crafting a template for Britpop, representing the change from the ‘80s to the ‘90s, and changing British music forever. Unfortunately, the Stone Roses never got to enjoy their success. A series of legal battles and in-fighting among the band members would occur and they would not release another LP until five years later. Oddly enough, they still managed to be in the spotlight for those five years. Their odd relationship with the media–refusing to promote themselves and angering journalists with their silence during interviews–ironically kept them relevant. They released their sophomore album, Second Coming in 1994, then fizzled out of existence. The Stone Roses would not get back together until 2011 and played (what was presumably) their last show on June 24, 2017. According to NME, as the concert was ending, Ian Brown had said to the audience: “Don’t be sad it’s over, be happy that it happened.”
Comentarios