Review Summary: A defining madchester album that still sounds fresh and surprising.
Despite ther gothic name, The Stone Roses became in 1989 a synonym of the rising "happy" Madchester scene along with groups like Happy Mondays and Inspiral Carpets.
What really made The Roses different was their melodic,kind of 60s rock and pop mixture(The Byrds being a notorious influence).
Although sometimes overrated(Im looking at you NME),this album is still a classic that shows what a really talented indie band can do.
So,track by track:
1) I wanna be adored
A collage of sounds at the start tells you that something epic is coming.Up next Manis catchy bassline comes and then Squire equally catchy guitar hook.
Four simple verses by Brown made this one a hit:"I dont have to sell my soul,hes already in me,I dont need to sell my soul,hes already in me.I wanna be adored".Very minimalistic lyrics actually(something present in most of the Roses songs).Always an opener to their concerts back then,this gets a : 5/5.
2) She bangs the drums
This is maybe the closest they were to a pop sound,but that doesnt mean its bad.
A hi-hat drum by Reni joins another bass intro by Mani,then the guitar by Squire and Browns vocals makes one of the best moments of the album.The chorus comes quickly with good vocal work by Brown,Squire and even Reni.Then comes a great interlude lead by Squire and right after that the chorus again.
Truly "There are no words to describe the way I feel" about this song[/lame joke].
One of the best moments of the album,this gets a 5/5.
3) Waterfall
This is where the 60s influence becomes more notorious.The guitar and the bass flows in a very nostalgic way with Browns voice almost sounding like a whisper("Shell carry it on through it all,shes a waterfall").Renis work is also amazing here,always helping the song flow.
In the end two guitar joins as the drums and bass start to build to end this song.A very dreamy and optimistic one,this also gets a 5/5.
4) Dont Stop
The cousin of "Waterfall", this is the same song just played backwards and with adapted lyrics.Still a very optimistic song,theres nothing else to say here really.Not really having an essential meaning,this gets a 3.5/5.
Just a filler song.
5) Bye Bye Badman
For me Reni is the main force behind this song,with his carefull and soft armonies.
The guitar in the intro starts very slowly with Brown singing about the students riot in the Paris of 68(fun fact,this also influenced the albums cover;the students were sucking lemons to avoid the effects of the polices tear gas).
Browns voice in here makes a really great atmosphere too(the chorus really sticks to your head after a few listens).
Overral a enjoyable song,this gets a 4/5.
6) Elizabeth my Dear
This is actually "Scarborough Fair" rewritten as an anti-monarchy ballad,lasting only 59 seconds.
Songs like this and the previous "Bye Bye Badman" really shows the anarchy vision of The Stone Roses.
Nothing else to say really,im not going to rate this song.Is more like an statement.
7) (Song for my) Sugar Spun Sister
The song takes time to build,always being lead by Squires guitar.
Actually this really sounds like a normal pop song,but it doesnt have the same energy and inspiration as "she bangs the drums".
Right before the end there are some good drums and guitar work,but still this song just doesnt seem as inspired as most of the album.
This gets a 3.5/5.
8) Made of Stone
An amazing guitar riff by Squire starts another high value of the album(kind of a psychedelic song actually).
The rhythm section is also very tight with great beats by Reni and smooth bass by Mani.
Ians voice also gives you a kind of paranoia sensation,right before entering the chorus,which is very compact too.
Squire also has a great solo right before the last part.
Having one of the best lyrics of the album("Are you all alone, is anybody home"),this a great song with all the members having great parts.
This also gets a 5/5.
9) Shoot you Down
Is all about Reni in the start, with some great fast work.Right after that Squires soft guitar comes and Browns starts to sing(although hes not looking like hes enjoying it).
A very soft song,this is also a forgettable one.Actually,without Reni this song would have burned pretty badly,but his drumming saved this one for being a boring mess.
For that,this gets a 3.5/5.
10) This is the One
Back again with Reni and Squire giving their best with the intro.Squire gives a very melodic riff just as Brown enters back again in the mood.
When he starts to whisper "this is the one" you are already trapped in the song.A great sing along,theres nothing out of place here.
And when Brown starts the big THIS IS THE ONE the band joins beautifully(Reni being at his best again).Some distortion at the end and this one is over.
Great tune,this gets a 4.5/5.
11) I am the Resurrection
Stone Roses biggest anthem peaking at 8:13 min,this song is just epic.
Reni enters with simple beats that shows you this is going to be epic.Once again a bass intro from Mani,then comes Browns vocal being at his peak of arrogance.
Squires guitar before the chorus is just as epic as Renis drumming through the song.
And the chorus is awesome with Brown proclaiming his divinity to the world.
Just when you were thinking you were given a break for this epicness,there comes the jam(once again being lead by Mani).
Seriously,amazing jam.Dont get surprised if you start to dance.Afterall,thats what the Roses tried to make you do.
An epic song,this of course gets a 5/5.
Overral,this is just a great album by one of the most talented band of the last 20 years.
Always essential,Squires performance is always looked as the main pillar.
But all the band is essential to this album.From Browns atmospheric voice to Manis smooth bass to the awesomness of Renis drumming,everything is in the right place.
Give it a try,this album wont dissapoint you.
Rating:4.5/5(more like a 4.3 actually,but you know the deal).
