#319 The Stone Roses, 'The Stone Roses' (1989)
Previously #498
The debut album by pioneers of the Madchester scene, The Stone Roses. This was an album that I had seen in lists over the years and had heard about from many people whose opinions on music I respect. It often turns up in the greatest debut albums of all time lists and the like. I can’t remember if I had listened to it before the last time I did the list, but I know that I’ve listened to it plenty since the last list. This album reminds me a lot of ‘Screamadelica’ by Primal Scream; not in sound, but rather because most of the people that I know that love that album, love this one too. Because of those people, I associate the two albums. Coincidentally, Mani, the bassist from The Stone Roses, would go on to play in Primal Scream. The Stone Roses are synonymous with the Baggy sound; a combination of Funk, Psychedelia, guitar rock and House Music. The genre takes its name from the fashion worn by these musicians – baggy jeans, tie-dyed shirts and bucket hats, and is closely associated with the Haçienda nightclub.
The album starts with the fifth single, ‘I Wanna Be Adored.’ Easily done, I do adore that song. It’s a non-stop party following that, with mononymous Mani (bass) and Remi (drums) really holding down the rhythm section. Smashing through an almost 1 hour set, the album hits its zenith with track 11, ‘I Am The Resurrection,’ an 8 minute song, with a 4 minute instrumental outro. The song originated when Mani played the riff to The Beatles’ ‘Taxman’ backwards during soundcheck and the rest of the band played over it for a laugh. They decided to do the “joke song” properly to see what happens. And what happened was one of the most epic final album tracks ever. In the version that was released in the US, the album has one last final track, single ‘Fool’s Gold,’ also a great way to end an album, but not quite as good as ‘I Am The Resurrection.’ Brilliant album and one that found its way into my heart thanks to the list (and all my mates that never shut up about it).
#rs500albums