Oasis, The Verve and Primal Scream are all indebted to the
brilliance of The Stone Roses. Comprising of four Manchurian lads, their
influence remains undiminished. Delivering some of the finest songs of
all time, their reunion has been one of the most eagerly anticipated one
of all time. Over a period of twelve years, the band
released two studio albums. If you compare that to bands such as their heroes, The Beatles, who released twelve albums in seven years, this seems incredibly paltry. But if quality could compete against quantity, then opinion would still be in favour of the Roses.
Formed by vocalist Ian Brown, guitarist John Squire and drummer Alan "Reni" Wren in 1984, it was not until bassist Gary "Mani" Mounfield joined in 1987 that the band truly began to tick. They released their self titled debut album in 1989, much to great critical acclaim. Containing songs written by Ian Brown and John Squire, the album featured more brilliant guitar hooks and great lyrical qualities than most bands could wish for in a whole lifetime. But their moment of glory would not last. Taking a five year hiatus, largely due to an unwanted court case from their label, the band released their next record Second Coming in 1994. Abandoning the sixties guitar pop feel of their first record, in favour of heavier musicianship, the album disappointed fans and critics alike. What put their "glorious comeback" at a worse disadvantage was the disappearance of Reni (arguably the best musician within the unit), who quit prior to their 1995 tour. The band struggled without him, which provoked Squire to quit in 1996. Brown and Mani found other members to replace those two, but following a disastrous performance at the 1996 Reading Festival, they finally buried the name in the grave. Following the band`s breakup, Squire pursued an art sojourn, Mani joined Primal Scream, Brown enjoyed a fruitful solo career and Reni... well, he disappeared completely off the radar! This changed when the four members announced their intentions to reform in 2011. Since then, they have gone down like a storm in Hyde Park, Benicassim and other places elsewhere. To celebrate their magnificent return, it seems appropriate to highlight their five finest moments so far:
#5. I Wanna Be Adored (The Stone Roses-1989): Written by Ian Brown/John Squire.
One of the greatest opening tracks of all time, the song has been the opening song for every Roses gig since then. Opening with a fine bass crescendo, Squire`s melodic playing takes over. By the time the band gets into the full swing of the song, it is one minute and twenty nine seconds into the song. But it is one of the greatest waits of all time. The musicians play an up tempo beat over lyrics that deal with the concept of being possessed. Ian Brown sounds strangely angelic on this recording, which has an inordinate amount to do with its brilliance. This song still creates a brilliant atmosphere whenever it is performed.
#4. Made Of Stone (The Stone Roses-1989): Written by Ian Brown/John Squire.
"Sometimes I/Fantasise": An unusual chorus line, but the Roses were never a band to tow the line of conventionality. Squire plays a spindly, melodic intro that sounds very similar to the guitar work of George Harrison. His acoustic strumming also adds a delicate backing to the song- the combination sounds like both folky and psychedelic. Then there are the superb vocal harmonies from Brown and Reni- truly evocative of the magic of Lennon and McCartney singing together. All in all, Made of Stone must surely rank as the greatest Beatles song that the Beatles never wrote (apologies Noel Gallagher).
#3. Love Spreads (Second Coming-1994): Written by John Squire.
John Squire hit the hammer on the head when he said the first album was a sixties album and the second was a seventies album. Whereas the band`s debut revolved around melodic pop guitars, covered over by the type of picturesque lyrics that John Lennon wrote. Their second record, on the other hand, had a much rawer feel to it. John Squire played as if he were Jimmy Page for much of the second album and nowhere was it more successful than on this beauty of a track. Musically, the song soars with its unusual marriage of a groovy rhythm and a hard hitting riff. Lyrically, the song`s narrator talks about his sister- a black messiah (Squire`s punk attitude coming to the fore point here). Truthfully, their second album had little to write home about but this track is truly something special. If you can manage to avoid singing the chorus line, "let me put in the picture/let me show you what I mean/The messiah is my sister/ Ain`t no king man, she`s my queen", then there is a fiver here with your name on it!
#2. Fools Gold (Non album single-1989): Written by Ian Brown/John Squire.
It is unusual for a drummer to be the star of the show (particularly when you have two frontmen as dynamic as Squire and Brown), but this is exactly the case on Fools Gold. A very long song, it is perhaps their best known. Reni plays a ridiculously difficult beat that incorporates African percussive elements. Capably of playing in such a manner that it both rocks its listener while enticing them to dance, it is a shame that Reni did not pursue drumming further after the Roses broke up. The other three also shine. Mani plays his bass in a lead fashion rather than a rhythmic one, yet he never overshadows John Squire. The guitarist plays a wah-wah pedal on this song, which gives his high standard of playing an extra boost of brilliance. Then there is Brown who gives his usual lazy style of singing, which works wonders to the groove of the song. How he and Shaun Ryder could get away with that style of singing and constantly pull it off is a mystery to everyone.
#1. I Am the Resurrection (The Stone Roses-1989): Written by Ian Brown/John Squire.
The closing track on the Roses`s debut album is in fact two songs amalgamated together. The first half deals with the lyrical content of the song, while the second half abandons this in favour of an instrumental battle between Mani, Reni and Squire. The song originated at a sound check, where Mani performed Paul McCartney`s Taxman bassline in reverse. Brown placed lyrics on top of this riff that made a deliberate stab at the Catholic Church. Portraying a lazy man, Brown claims that he is the resurrection and he is the light. Considering his amazingly high standard lyrically, the listeners are prone to believe him. If Brown shines during the first four minutes, then the spotlight reverberates on the other three members for the remainder of the song. Largely an extended jam session, it shows the true power of the band. Reni plays an amazing afro back beat that incorporates tom-toms, cymbals and impeccably speed on his bass drum. Mani plays the main melody line of the section on his bass guitar. Playing it in a funky manner, he truly sets the tone for the song. But it is Squire who truly amazes. Restraining himself from playing guitar solos for the majority of their song collection, here he truly shows his brilliant skills. Incorporating funk, metal, blues and medieval elements in his playing, he comes across as a musical genius, while remaining as a team member all the way through. Containing all the classic elements that the band are known for (intellectual lyrics, a hammering dance groove, excellent guitar riffs) but bringing them to a whole new level, I Am the Resurrection is the type of song most bands can only dream of!
released two studio albums. If you compare that to bands such as their heroes, The Beatles, who released twelve albums in seven years, this seems incredibly paltry. But if quality could compete against quantity, then opinion would still be in favour of the Roses.
Formed by vocalist Ian Brown, guitarist John Squire and drummer Alan "Reni" Wren in 1984, it was not until bassist Gary "Mani" Mounfield joined in 1987 that the band truly began to tick. They released their self titled debut album in 1989, much to great critical acclaim. Containing songs written by Ian Brown and John Squire, the album featured more brilliant guitar hooks and great lyrical qualities than most bands could wish for in a whole lifetime. But their moment of glory would not last. Taking a five year hiatus, largely due to an unwanted court case from their label, the band released their next record Second Coming in 1994. Abandoning the sixties guitar pop feel of their first record, in favour of heavier musicianship, the album disappointed fans and critics alike. What put their "glorious comeback" at a worse disadvantage was the disappearance of Reni (arguably the best musician within the unit), who quit prior to their 1995 tour. The band struggled without him, which provoked Squire to quit in 1996. Brown and Mani found other members to replace those two, but following a disastrous performance at the 1996 Reading Festival, they finally buried the name in the grave. Following the band`s breakup, Squire pursued an art sojourn, Mani joined Primal Scream, Brown enjoyed a fruitful solo career and Reni... well, he disappeared completely off the radar! This changed when the four members announced their intentions to reform in 2011. Since then, they have gone down like a storm in Hyde Park, Benicassim and other places elsewhere. To celebrate their magnificent return, it seems appropriate to highlight their five finest moments so far:
#5. I Wanna Be Adored (The Stone Roses-1989): Written by Ian Brown/John Squire.
One of the greatest opening tracks of all time, the song has been the opening song for every Roses gig since then. Opening with a fine bass crescendo, Squire`s melodic playing takes over. By the time the band gets into the full swing of the song, it is one minute and twenty nine seconds into the song. But it is one of the greatest waits of all time. The musicians play an up tempo beat over lyrics that deal with the concept of being possessed. Ian Brown sounds strangely angelic on this recording, which has an inordinate amount to do with its brilliance. This song still creates a brilliant atmosphere whenever it is performed.
#4. Made Of Stone (The Stone Roses-1989): Written by Ian Brown/John Squire.
"Sometimes I/Fantasise": An unusual chorus line, but the Roses were never a band to tow the line of conventionality. Squire plays a spindly, melodic intro that sounds very similar to the guitar work of George Harrison. His acoustic strumming also adds a delicate backing to the song- the combination sounds like both folky and psychedelic. Then there are the superb vocal harmonies from Brown and Reni- truly evocative of the magic of Lennon and McCartney singing together. All in all, Made of Stone must surely rank as the greatest Beatles song that the Beatles never wrote (apologies Noel Gallagher).
#3. Love Spreads (Second Coming-1994): Written by John Squire.
John Squire hit the hammer on the head when he said the first album was a sixties album and the second was a seventies album. Whereas the band`s debut revolved around melodic pop guitars, covered over by the type of picturesque lyrics that John Lennon wrote. Their second record, on the other hand, had a much rawer feel to it. John Squire played as if he were Jimmy Page for much of the second album and nowhere was it more successful than on this beauty of a track. Musically, the song soars with its unusual marriage of a groovy rhythm and a hard hitting riff. Lyrically, the song`s narrator talks about his sister- a black messiah (Squire`s punk attitude coming to the fore point here). Truthfully, their second album had little to write home about but this track is truly something special. If you can manage to avoid singing the chorus line, "let me put in the picture/let me show you what I mean/The messiah is my sister/ Ain`t no king man, she`s my queen", then there is a fiver here with your name on it!
#2. Fools Gold (Non album single-1989): Written by Ian Brown/John Squire.
It is unusual for a drummer to be the star of the show (particularly when you have two frontmen as dynamic as Squire and Brown), but this is exactly the case on Fools Gold. A very long song, it is perhaps their best known. Reni plays a ridiculously difficult beat that incorporates African percussive elements. Capably of playing in such a manner that it both rocks its listener while enticing them to dance, it is a shame that Reni did not pursue drumming further after the Roses broke up. The other three also shine. Mani plays his bass in a lead fashion rather than a rhythmic one, yet he never overshadows John Squire. The guitarist plays a wah-wah pedal on this song, which gives his high standard of playing an extra boost of brilliance. Then there is Brown who gives his usual lazy style of singing, which works wonders to the groove of the song. How he and Shaun Ryder could get away with that style of singing and constantly pull it off is a mystery to everyone.
#1. I Am the Resurrection (The Stone Roses-1989): Written by Ian Brown/John Squire.
The closing track on the Roses`s debut album is in fact two songs amalgamated together. The first half deals with the lyrical content of the song, while the second half abandons this in favour of an instrumental battle between Mani, Reni and Squire. The song originated at a sound check, where Mani performed Paul McCartney`s Taxman bassline in reverse. Brown placed lyrics on top of this riff that made a deliberate stab at the Catholic Church. Portraying a lazy man, Brown claims that he is the resurrection and he is the light. Considering his amazingly high standard lyrically, the listeners are prone to believe him. If Brown shines during the first four minutes, then the spotlight reverberates on the other three members for the remainder of the song. Largely an extended jam session, it shows the true power of the band. Reni plays an amazing afro back beat that incorporates tom-toms, cymbals and impeccably speed on his bass drum. Mani plays the main melody line of the section on his bass guitar. Playing it in a funky manner, he truly sets the tone for the song. But it is Squire who truly amazes. Restraining himself from playing guitar solos for the majority of their song collection, here he truly shows his brilliant skills. Incorporating funk, metal, blues and medieval elements in his playing, he comes across as a musical genius, while remaining as a team member all the way through. Containing all the classic elements that the band are known for (intellectual lyrics, a hammering dance groove, excellent guitar riffs) but bringing them to a whole new level, I Am the Resurrection is the type of song most bands can only dream of!
This is The Stone Roses at their best.
The songs best show their tenacity and brilliant musicianship.
The songs best show their tenacity and brilliant musicianship.
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